ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

--- CONTENT ---
The Rainbow Ragroot (Ophrys iricolor) is a species of the genus Ragroots (Ophrys) and therefore of the family of Orchids. It blooms from February to April, but usually two weeks later than the brown ragroot (Ophrys fusca). It is also classified by some authors as a subspecies: Ophrys fusca subsp. iricolor

Features
This perennial herbaceous plant reaches heights between 10 and 35 cm high. The inflorescence comprises one to five flowers. The chalice leaves are colored green. The lip looks velvety through the hair and is black-violet and brown-red on the underside. The extremely narrow edge is hairless and usually darker. This species has a bright blue mark in the form of two egg-shaped surfaces. Often this appears blurred or blackish to purple marbled. Very rarely does a pale edge appear at the time.

The number of chromosomes is 2n = 36.

Location and distribution
The Rainbow Ragwurz can be found in light pine forests, garriguen and macchi with mostly calcareous soils up to a height of 1100 meters NN. The distribution area covers the eastern Mediterranean area.

Ecology
As a pollinator, the bee Andrena morio was observed.

Systematic classification
Three subspecies can be distinguished:
Rainbow rabbit (Ophrys iricolor subsp. iricolor): It occurs in Greece, western Turkey, Cyprus, Lebanon, northwestern Syria and Israel at altitudes between 0 and 1100 meters above sea level.
Small-flowered rainbow ragur (Ophrys iricolor subsp. maxima ): It occurs in northern Tunisia, northern Algeria, Corsica and Sardinia at altitudes between 0 and 950 metres above sea level.
Mesara (Ophrys iricolor subsp. mesaritica): It occurs in Crete and perhaps also in the Cyclades. It thrives at altitudes between 0 and 950 meters above sea level.

Literature
Karl-Peter Buttler: Orchids, the wild species of Europe. Mosaik Verlag 1986, ISBN 3-570-04403-3

Individual evidence

Weblinks

Ragroots