Species Info

Species name:

Ophrys bombyliflora f. parviflora   S. Mifsud

Principal Synonym:

No Main Synonyms

Plant Family:

Orchidaceae   (Orchid Family)

General names:

Small-flowered Bumblebee Orchid

Maltese name:

Naħla tal-fjura zgħira

Status:

Endemic. Found only on the Maltese islands

Frequency in the wild:

Very Common     Common     Frequent     Scarce     Rare     Very rare     Extinct

Growth form:

GEOPHYTE (Bulbous/Rhizomous plants)

Legal Protection:

Not Protected by Law (LN200/2011 or LN311/2006)

Red List 1989:

Not listed in the Flora section of the National Red Data Book (Lanfranco, 1989)

Flowering Time:

Mar

Remarks:

A new form of Ophrys bombyliflora described by Stephen Mifsud in the Journal of European Orchids (Dec 2009). Unless reported from other countries, this plant is so far regarded as endemic. It differs from the normal form of Ophrys bombyliflora by having significantly smaller flowers (2/3rds the size). A population of more than 100 specimens all had such small flowers, while another population was found at l/o Rabat and had less specimens and was not as well established as the holotype. Further details and other minor differences can be read in the corresponding paper:


Mifsud Stephen (2009). A NEW FORM OF OPHRYS BOMBYLIFLORA LINK DESCRIBED FROM MALTA, Journal of European Orchids 41(3/4): 611-622 Malta, Dec 2009. Abstract: A new form, Ophrys bombyliflora Link forma parviflora S. Mifsud is described for plants with significantly smaller lips from the typical form of O. bombyliflora and with a bright, contrasting speculum. These plants were observed as homogenous populations in 2 different sites in Malta, isolated from populations of the locally common Ophrys bombyliflora Link.

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