Ophrys speculum Link

Spice Flower Flower 2

Family: ORCHIDACEAE

Genus: Ophrys

Catalan common name: Mosques blaves. Sabatetes del Bon Jesús.

Spanish common name: Espejo de Venus.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza. Formentera. Cabrera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Fields and garriques.

Characteristics: Blue flies have a central labellum with a large blue spot, shiny and tongue-shaped, bordered by a brown velvety margin. Flowers from the winter to spring.