Iberian mirror ragwurz
The division of living beings into systematics is a continuous subject of research. Different systematic classifications exist side by side and one after the other. The taxon treated here has become obsolete due to new research or is not part of the group systematics presented in the German-language Wikipedia.
The Iberian mirror orchid ( Ophrys vernixia ), also Iberian Ragwurz called, is a kind of the genus Ragwurzen ( Ophrys ) in the family of the Orchid Family (Orchidaceae). Some authors use Ophrys vernixia as a synonym of Ophrys speculum subsp. lusitanica considered.
description
This herbaceous perennial plant reaches heights of between 15 and 50 cm.
The inflorescence includes five to fifteen flowers , which are very similar to the Spiegel-Ragwurz ( Ophrys speculum ). The sepals are not or only slightly brown-red striped, while the petals appear yellow-orange or light brown-red. The central lobe, which is strongly arched both lengthways and crossways, has a yellow hairless edge. The linear-lanceolate lateral lobes appear either half as long or longer than the middle lobes. The dark blue mark is outlined in orange or olive brown.
The flowering period extends from March to April. This species always flowers two to three weeks later than the Spiegel-Ragwurz.
Distribution and site conditions
This species of orchid is endemic to three different areas in the Iberian Peninsula . The first area is in the center of Portugal , in Estremadura . This species is also native to southern Portugal in the Algarve and southern Spain in the provinces of Córdoba and Jaén .
You can find the Iberian mirror ragwurz on poor grassland and garrigue with dry to fresh, alkaline soils. This species occurs in the mountains up to a height of 500 meters above sea level.
literature
- Karl-Peter Buttler : Orchids, the wild species and subspecies of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa . Mosaik Verlag, Munich 1986, ISBN 3-570-04403-3 , ( Steinbach's natural guide ).
