Ophrys tenthredinifera Willd. in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 [Willdenow] 4(1): 67. 1805
Sinónimos:
Ophrys limbata Link, Handbuch 1: 247 (1829);
Arachnites tenthredinifera (Willd.) Tod., Orchid. Sicul. 85 (1842);
Ophrys arachnites Link in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1799(2): 325 (1800), nom. illeg.;
Ophrys limbata Link, Handbuch 1: 247 (1829);
Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. guimaraesii D. Tyteca in J. Eur. Orchid. 32: 297, pl. 1 c fotografía;
Ophrys tenthredinifera subsp. praecox D. Tyteca in Orchidophile (Asnières) 65: 768 (1985), nom. illeg.;
Ophrys tenthredinifera var. involucrata Costa, Supl. Cat. Pl. Cataluña 78 (1877);
Ophrys rosea (Desf.) Duf., in Bull. Bot. France 7: 170 (1860)
Ophrys tenthredinifera was first described from Algeria by Willdenow in 1805. It is a very similar species to Ophrys ficalhoana and shares with it an almost identical habitat requirement and distribution. It differs however in being a less robust plant, with less colorful and more narrow shouldered flowers that do not possess the dense tuft of long yellow/brown bristles immediately above the appendage. The appendage is also smaller and less prominent. Other distinguishing characteristics include the much smaller basal swellings and the bracts which are usually greenish and not concolorous with the perianth as with Ophrys ficalhoana.
The distribution of Ophrys tenthredinifera is centered on the Iberian peninsula but with extensions into Southern France, the Balearic Isl. and parts of North Africa where it thrives in a range of conditions from calcareous to highly acidic substrates and in full sun or shade. It is worth bearing in mind when trying to differentiate this species from Ophrys ficalhoana that although the two species may be found in virtually identical habitats, they do not commonly grow in close association with one another. Another key differentiation is the flowering period as although their is an overlap, Ophrys ficalhoana is later than Ophrys tenthredinifera, with the former not starting until April, by which time the latter will be some way past its best. In the warmer areas of its range, it is not unknown for Ophrys tenthredinifera to be flowering in January.
