ORCHIS SITIACA

Family and Genus:- See- ORCHIDACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Androrchis sitiaca, Orchis anatolica subsp. sitiaca.

Meaning:- Orchis (Gr) Testicle, (the shape of the root-tubers).

Sitiaca (L) From Sitias bay NE.Crete.

Stem:-

1)15-40 cm, erect or slightly flexuous, with several sheathing leaves in the lower

part.

Leaves:-

1) Very characteristic foliage, of a conspicuous green colour suffused with grey-

silver, with only fine, dark spots.

Flowers:-

1) Mostly loose inflorescence with large blooms.

2) Sepals, intensively striped in green.

2) Labellum, distinctly folded.

a) lateral lobes, turning downwards, which makes it appear narrow when viewed

from above, two parallel lines of dark red dots in the lighter coloured, often

rather yellowish middle part.

3) Spur, particularly large and strong, markedly bent upwards at the end and

becoming thinner, but blunt-tipped.

Key features:-

1) Lateral lobes, turning downwards.

2) Labellum elongated.

3) Spur, conspicuously curved upwards.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Meadow-like patches in dry open shrubby vegetation , sometimes in open

coniferous woodland, often on non-calcareous substrates. 300-800(-1400) m.

Distribution:- Cretan endemic, somewhat scattered distribution. Fairly rare.

Flowering time:- Early Apr to late May.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton