The hornet or bumblebee Ophrys is a small Ophrys in size (often 10–20 cm, sometimes up to 30 cm and exceptionally 40 cm). The habit is stocky, and the flowers are generally few in number (from 2 to 10). The labellum has a characteristic trapezoidal shape, covered with hair and variable markings. One should note the two atrophied petals, generally concolorous (pink) with the sepals behind them. Petals and sepals may be white but are always concolorous. The lateral sepals are sometimes “pointed” but may also be very rounded, so this is not a key feature for identification. The sepals are less extended than in the bee Ophrys, but there is little risk of confusion due to the overall appearance of the flower. Also note the very conspicuous yellow appendage at the tip of the labellum.

This Ophrys is more easily seen in eastern France, but it is present in other French departments (a little more than half of them). In the Alps, it is found below 1400 m. It develops in habitats ranging from fresh to dry soils. It can be found on sufficiently drained embankments or roadside verges in particular, in fallow land, and sometimes in very shaded meadows.

Ophrys fuciflora is also an “umbrella” species for many regional taxa for which it is difficult to recognise differences between them or with the type species. It shows variations in the shape, colour, or markings of its flowers that overlap with those of other regional names.

There are also transitional forms toward Ophrys scolopax within populations, with smaller, oval labella.