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Ophrys araneola. Ophrys petite araignée. Early spider orchid. It is not always recognized that Ophrys araneola is a species in its own right. It may therefore be a subspecies of Ophrys aranifera (or Ophrys sphegodes ) according to some authors or a simple variety. A synonym refers to Ophrys litigiosa . Open a guide and try to identify it on 1 view and it's a guaranteed nightmare. Go to the Internet and Google and you'll find so many views that you won't know what you're dealing with either! We must therefore accept the fact that within the Ophrys there is an Aranifera/sphegodes section and affiliated species. The differences will be morphological (smaller flowers, sepals larger or smaller than the labellum, colours of the petals and sepals, etc.), calendar-related (early or late flowering) and regional. Prepare yourself well because the variations are such and the hybridizations so numerous that a doubt will often remain. Only a few rare individuals relate to the type and the others will have to remain prudently within the section. Araneola is therefore reputed to be earlier in flowering date than Aranifera (in regions where both can be found) and the two often coexist and it is then just a question of distribution, more araneola at the beginning of the season and more aranifera at the end of the season. The flowers are a little smaller: generally the labellum seems tiny surrounded by long petals and sepals (petals greener and darker than the sepals). It is often rounder and edged with yellow (aranifera is elongated and also edged with yellow but this part being folded most of the time, it is not obvious). The labellum is, according to some authors, slightly rounded, others do not report anything. The basal field is, like Ophrys aranifera, concolorous with the labellum. Still among the oddities, there is a subspecies (or species) Ophrys viriscens which is considered according to the authors (see guides) to be more slender than Ophrys araneola or on the contrary more robust!?? Who to believe? From my own observations in Aveyron, I can conclude, with great humility, that apart from very marked individuals with small flowers, small labellum often round and sepals generally tending towards white or pinkish white, many other Ophrys encountered in the field are difficult to classify because they are probably hybridized. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys fuciflora. Ophrys frelon. Late spider orchid. The Ophrys frelon or bumblebee is a small Ophrys in size (often 10 to 20 cm, sometimes up to 30 cm and exceptionally 40 cm). The shape is stocky and the flowers are generally few in number (2 to 10). The labellum has a characteristic trapezoid shape, and it is covered with variable hairs and patterns. Note the two atrophied petals generally concolorous (pink) with the sepals at the back. Petals and sepals can be white but always concolorous. The lateral sepals are sometimes "pointed" but can also be very rounded, so this is not an important criterion for identification. The sepals are less extensive than for the Ophrys abeille but there is little risk of confusing them due to the general appearance of the flower. Also note the very visible 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 over half). In the Alps, it is found below 1400 meters. Grows on fresh to dry land. It is found on sufficiently drained embankments or roadsides, in wasteland and sometimes in very shaded meadows.

Dactylorhiza maculata . Orchis maculé. Heath spotted orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will be difficult to identify because each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids are more numerous than the type species. Observing Dactylorhiza is proof that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway, but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza maculata is a plant that likes many environments, dry or humid but rather on calcareous soil. The flowers are quite colorful but white is often very present. The labellum does not have the characteristic tip of Dactylorhiza fuchsii but confusion remains possible on intermediate individuals possibly hybrids. Click on the photos to enlarge

Dactylorhiza fuchsii. Orchis de Fuchs. Common spotted orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will be difficult to identify because each species varies and hybrids are common. In some regions, these hybrids are more numerous than the type species. Observing Dactylorhiza is proof that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway, but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza fuchsii is a plant that likes many environments, dry or humid but rather on calcareous soil. The flowers are quite colorful but we will not trust the very variable designs, rather the cutting of the cut labellum which forms a pronounced point. Click on the photos to enlarge

Dactylorhiza incarnata. Orchis incarnat. Early marsh orchid. Some Dactylorhiza will give you a hard time in terms of their identification because each species varies and hybrids are frequent. In some regions, these hybrids would be more numerous than the type species. Observing the Dactylorhiza is the demonstration that once again, some specialists tend to segment and name what are sometimes only varieties. Evolution is certainly underway but it will not happen on the scale of current humanity. Patience! I will therefore only present a few species, those whose identification remains certain. Dactylorhiza incarnata is a plant that can be found on humid and rather alkaline substrates. The flowers are quite colorful but do not trust the very variable patterns. The labellum is narrow, a little folded which gives it an elongated shape. Click on the photos to enlarge

Cephalanthera longifolia. Cephalanthère à longues feuilles. Sword leaved helleborine. Cephalanthera are generally light undergrowth orchids. The flowers open little. To distinguish the 3 species, it is quite simple: the red cephalanthera has pink flowers, the long-leaved cephalanthera has leaves that start from the base of the plant and form upright swords, the large-flowered cephalanthera has rounder leaves on the entire stem. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys aranifera. Ophrys araignée. Early spider orchid An orchid that is not very visible like most Ophrys whose flowers are not very colorful. Measuring between 10 and 40 cm and growing on calcareous soils: wastelands, verges. The design on the labellum is very variable and the normally green sepals and petals can be slightly colored yellow or pink. The labellum is rather elongated and the appendage is barely visible because it is curved backwards. The basal field is concolorous to the labellum but often lighter. The macular pattern is H-shaped, more or less blended into the entire macule. This H is sometimes very clearly edged with white. The pseudo-eyes are quite large and bright. There is a thin yellow margin around the labellum but often barely visible because of its convexity. Gibbosities are sometimes visible but not very marked and not at all or weakly pointed. It is found in many French departments but mainly in the west of the country and not at high altitudes. Other close species take its place in other departments where it would be rarer. One can legitimately wonder if so many species are not duplicates, the differences are sometimes subtle especially if we consider that the variations exist elsewhere within a population of the same station. All these species were named at a time when communication between scientists was not as developed and it seems difficult even today to find a consensus. At the same time as the author writes this, he is pilloried by a certain number of regional observers who could read these lines and who will refuse to admit that their local "species" does not have its identity or is just a synonym. Its name is still debated and we seem to agree on Ophrys sphegodes but we will find many documents or works with Ophrys aranifera. It is a relatively early orchid and can be observed between March and May. Click on the photos to enlarge

Ophrys lupercalis. Ophrys des lupercales. Dark bee orchid. Ophrys from the south and south west of France, this Ophrys poses little problem of identification. It is part of Pseudophrys like Ophrys lutea. The labellum is relatively elongated, furrowed more or less deeply in its central part, devoid of humps. What is not visible lies in its pollination by specific insects (Hymenoptera generally) which position themselves with their abdomen turned towards the reproductive organs, which is the opposite of other Ophrys. Despite this peculiarity, hybrids are possible with Ophrys. The determination of the species could turn out to be complex because the authors do not agree sometimes regrouping certain taxa sometimes multiplying the species. You will therefore sometimes find a single species Ophrys fusca (Ophrys brown) with synonym Ophrys sulcata, or the 2 very distinct species. I have therefore attempted here to present views respecting the most striking distinctive elements of determination. Click on the photos to enlarge