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Ophrys scolopax - Woodcock orchid
So-called because the shape of the green pointy bit above the oval purplish
lip looks like a head and beak of a woodcock in profile. Flower spikes 15-40
cm with 3-10 flowers, deep pink to whitish in colour. The lip is about 1cm
high, markedly convex and tapering towards the top and bottom. It generally
bears an "H" shaped pattern.
Widely distributed throughout the northeast Mediterranean. From sea level
up to 1500metres. Flowers from April to June ("Orquideas Sylvestris
de la Comunidad Valenciana") but usually seen earlier than the Bee orchid.
(Close up by Simon Beatty)