Ophrys bertolonii Moretti subsp. balearica (P. Delforge) L. Sáez & Rosselló

Spice Flower detail Flower Flowers In the field

Family: ORCHIDACEAE

Genus: Ophrys

Sinònims: Ophrys balearica P. Delforge

Catalan common name: Borinot.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

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

General distribution (Phytogeography): Mediterranean (Balearic)

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. Therophytic calicole fields. Pine woodlands and garriques.

Characteristics: This is the only endemic orchid to the Baleares, although not all authors accept this classification, while others catalogue it as subspecies. Recognized by its great labium (lip), brilliant and lobed (fairly variable in form), dark green in colour with short pilose covering and a violet spot in the centre. The sepals are pink. When looking at the flower at its side it resembles a bird beacause the pieca that covers the stamins has a small beak that reminds one of a birds head. Flowers in the months of March and April.