Ophrys candica
Ophrys candica
Cilalı salep
Syn: O.holosericea ssp candica
O.holosericea
Plants 15-40 cm. Leaves 3-6, ± erecto-patent. Flowers variable in size, 2-6 . Sepals ovate, to 16 x 8 mm, pale rose, rose-purplish or whitish, with green mid-vein. Petals triangular, ± auriculate, to 4 mm, rose or rose-purplish, densely velvety. Labellum entire, rarely with lateral incisions or ± 3-lobed, obovate, trapeziform or transversely ovate, usually broader than long, with 2 humps near base, apex with yellowish-green upturned appendix, maroon or reddish-brown, velvety; speculum variable, mainly confined to basal half. Column with short, acute connective.
1. Flowers small; labellum 7-8 x 8-10 mm, convex or slightly globose-inflated, entire or sometimes with lateral incisions or distinctly 3-lobed; sepals strongly reflexed subsp. heterochila
1. Flowers large: labellum 10-13 x 15-18 mm, usually entire; often with flattened margins; sepals erecto-patent
2. Labellum laterally with slightly longer velvet; speculum a clear pattern of branches with pale yellowish margins and lines, enclosing 1-3 dark ±ovate spots subsp. holoserica
2. Labellum laterally ± furry; speculum indistinct, bordered by a creamy-white ± scutelliform ribbon subsp. candica
