Ophrys picta Link in J. Bot. (Schrader) 1799(2): 325 (1800)
Sinónimos:
Ophrys corniculata Brot., Phytogr. Lusitan. Select. 2: 38 (1827);
Ophrys scolopax subsp. picta (Link) Kreutz, Kompend. Eur. Orchid. 118 (2004).
Ophrys picta was first described from Serra de Arrabida (Portugal) in 1800 and its name means “painted”. It belongs to the O. scolopax group of Ophrys and bears a close resemblance to O. scolopax itself.
This species is essentially an orchid of the Iberian peninsula but which can stray across the French border into the Pyrenees, as far north as the Corbieres. Ophrys picta may also be rarely found in Sardinia, Tunisia and possibly Morocco, its range is not however known with any certainty due to its similarity to other locally occuring Ophrys. such as Ophrys sphegifera. Although the labellum is very similar it differs from this species by virtue of the sepals which in that species are always greenish whereas in Ophrys picta can vary from white to pale pink. They are never a dark pink and this characteristic helps differentiate it from the more robust flower of Ophrys scolopax.
The petals are usually long, thin, vaguely triangular and of a darker shade than the sepals. In the paler examples the base of the petals are often washed with a violet hue and this characteristic can be clearly noted in picture ten. The stigmatic cavity is large, usually dark brown to dark rusty red and the base is broad and less constricted than that of Ophrys scolopax.
Ophrys picta is an early flowerer (February to May). Its a species of alkaline soils and although it will tolerate moderate shade, clearly prefers a position in full sun.
