Nomenclature

Species name:

Ophrys mesaritica   Paulus & Alibertis

Author(s):

H. F. Paulus;
   Austria, 19xx -

Ch. Alibertis;
   Greece, 19xx -

A. Alibertis;
   Greece, 19xx -

Common names:

Cretan Blue Orchid, Early Rainbow Orchid

Maltese name:

Dubbiena Bikrija

Plant Family:

Orchidaceae   (Orchid Family)

Name Derivation:

Ophrys = "Eyebrow", referring to the furry edges of the lips of several species. (Greek);
mesaritica = Belonging to Mesara, the largest plain in Crete, Greece; since here was where the plant was described first. (Latin).

Synonyms:

Ophrys iricolor subsp. mesaritica; Ophrys fusca subsp. iricolor s.l.

Remarks:

O. mesaritica forms part of the Oprys iricolor group which was previously regarded as O. fusca s.l. It was thought to be endemic to the region of Mesara in Crete, till the year 1993 when it was also found in Malta by P. Delforge. Being found in localities so far from each other, the validity of this species in Malta leaves a certain doubt, though morphologically, they are very similar to those in Crete. -

Morphology

Specifications & Description

Life Cycle:

Perennial.

Growth Form:

GEOPHYTE (Bulbous/Rhizomous plants)

Habitat:

Calcareous garigues and steppes. Likes damp shallow soil but can tolerate arid environments.

Frequency:

Frequent

Localities in Malta:

Locally frequent. Extensive population found at Dingli Cliffs and Fawwara.

Plant Height:

12-28cm.

Flowering Period:

Dec - Feb

Protection in Malta:

Protected by law (schedule VI of legal notice LN311/2006) and cannot be picked or harmed

Red List 1989:

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

Poison:

Unlikely to be poisonous.

Ophrys mesaritica is quite variable in Malta and the following description, based on the study of several specimens from Malta, is a general one.

This species is the first flowering Ophrys in Malta, starting as early as mid-December, peaks during the first 2 or 3 weeks of January and declines throughut the rest of January and beg of Februaury. The plants are rather small, typically 12-20cm and produce 2-5(-8) flowers.

The underground tubers produce a rosette of 4-8 rather small, broadly-lanceolate leaves that lie over the ground. Often leaves produce black markings or spots when the plants gets old. A flowering stalk is produced from the centre of the basal rosette of leaves, and usually it will have one or two supporting leaves sheathing the base of the flowering stalk.

The flower consists of 3 green sepals arranged in the form of an inverted 'T' and 3 petals in the shape of a 'Y'. The sepals are broadly lanceolate to sub-triangular with a blunt tip and partly concave. The median sepal is slightly smaller, sometimes sub-orbicular and more concave with a more rounded tip. The sepals measure an average of 12mm by 8mm. The upper tepals are also green, sometmes with a brownish tinge, and have an oblong shape with an obtuse rounded tip. They measure an average of 7.5mm by 2.5mm.

The labellum has a rich dark-brown colour, hueing in purple due to the dense, purplish, hairs. The latter give the labellum a smooth velvetly texture. It is usually found pendant or at downward angle, seldom horizontal with the plane of the stigmatic cavity. The labellum has 3 lobes, with the central being the largest and sometimes itself bifid. The speculum varies considerably from light blue to dull indigo, monochrome or marbled with darker patches, rarely with a hint of red. O. mesaritica is classified in the Ophrys iricolor group because the basal part of the lip is elevated into a plateau with the external side ridges twisted slightly outside. In some specimens in Malta, this plataeu/ridges structure is weak and makes the naturalist to look very closely to distinguish them. The underside is generally entirely green, but considrable number of specimens have a faint red centre with a green border and more seldom one can find specimens with a well defined red centre and demarked green border. The angle between the central longitudinal axis of the lip and the sides of its lateral lobes is between 30-38 degrees. Some specimens have labella with a narrow (hairline) yellow rim.

The sexual parts of the flower includes a pair of pollina hanging loosely over a semi-spherical stigmatic cavity. The pollinia have a sticky surface by which they adhere to the body of the pollinator (a kind of wasp of the species), detatches from the flower and get carried away entirely by the pollinator, hopefully reaching another flower of the same species. Fertilisation of the flower leads to the formation of the fruit, barrel shaped green capsules (about 15mm long, 7mm wide) which when mature forms longitudinal slite through which the millions of powder-like seeds can escape.

Information and Details

Nativity and distribution

According  [367] the Genus Ophrys is native to the Mediterranean region but has a more extensive range from the Canary Islands to the Caspain Sea and from Southern Scandinavia to North Africa (Maghreb).

Ophrys mesaritica was first described from the plains (valleys) in Mesara, a region in the Greek island of Crete and hence the epithet name 'mesaritca'. It was believed to be an endemic to Crete until 1993, when Pierre Delforge recorded it from Malta  [369] . The same author states that it is possibly found also in Lesbos  [368] . The two stations where Ophrys mesaritica is located are spaced apart by some 900km and raises the doubt whether both populations are actually the same species. Some authorities in fact consider the Maltese population different from O. mesaritica and treat it as an endemic unnamed species, while others simply lump it as Ophrys fusca subsp. iricolor. At this time of writing, the morphological characters of the Maltese specimens match very well with those described from Mesara/Crete and therefore, until further different developments, it is reckognised as Ophrys mesaritica (perhaps Ophrys c.f. mesaritica would be the best treatment). However, there are other examples where species have a strange distibution such in the case of Ophrys candida which coincidently is found in South Italy and Crete.  [WWW-190] .

What's strange is that although described from Mesara, it is said to be very rare there  [WWW-190] , whereas in Malta, it is fairly common, recorded from over 20 localities according to a study on Maltese Orchids by Bartolo, Pulvirenti, Stevens and Lanfranco.  [367] . It is probably present also in South Italy / Sicily (myself seen similar photos in Italian flora forums), but either not yet studied well, or presumingly lumped with the O. fusca group, since Italian botanists lean with that taxonomical system.

Distribution of Ophrys mesaritica (South East Mediterranean)

Ophrys mesaritica in Malta.

In the publication by 4 botanists (G.Bartolo, S.Pulvirenti, E.lanfranco, D. Stevens) about the Maltese Orchids in 2001  [367] , Ophrys mesaritica was one of the species listed. They report it from 26 localities in mainland Malta, 1 from Comino and none from the island of Gozo. It is a frequent species, and observed in abundant numbers (over 1000 est.) at the localities of Dingli Cliffs and Fawwara. In this study, O. mesaritica was the only species from the O. iricolor group. Other species of the Ophrys fusca and Ophrys iricolor group given in this article are:

1. Ophrys fusca s.str Link
2. Ophrys caesiella P. Delforge
3. Ophrys parosica P. Delforge (probably a mis-identification with the variable O. caesiella)
4. Ophrys pectus Mutel
5. Ophrys pallida Rafin. (based on old bibliographical records, possibly a mis-identification since not found again for several decades)
6. Ophrys mesaritica Paulus, C. & A. Alibertus

According to the Belgian Orchid authority - Pierre Delforge, who visited Malta for few days in February 1993, the Ophrys species he found were Ophrys mesaritica Paulus, C. & A. Alibertus; O. lupercalis J. Devillers-Terschuren & P. Devillers; O. pectus Mutel and O. fusca Link. (later descibed as a new species - Ophrys caesiella Delforge). He did not encounter O. parosica or O. eleonorae

Species of the Ophrys iricolor complex.

This complex or aggregate is so far made up of five member species which are closely related to each other. Previously they where grouped as the single species Ophry iricolor and before that even lumped with the main Ophrys fusca s.l. The main charactaristic of the iricolor group is that of having a plateau with elevated ridges at its sides (somewhat slightly twisted outside) located at the base of labellum. The member species of the iricolor group are given below according  [368]

1. Ophrys iricolor Desfontaines
2. Ophrys eleonorae J. Devillers - Terschuren & P. Devillers
3. Ophrys vallesiana J. Devillers - Terschuren & P. Devillers
4. Ophrys astypalaeica P. Delforge
5. Ophrys mesaritica Paulus, C. & A. Alibertus

Ophrys lojaconoi P. Delforge also have this characteristic plateau with twisted ridges and was part of the iricolor complex, but in the latest publication (2006), Delforge placed this species with the O.fusca group without giving any reasons.  [368] I was the first to find Ophrys lojaconoi in Malta (just 2 specimens) and the plataeu was quite distinct, so I cannot understand why it was segregated from the iricolor group.  [SM]

Morphological characteristics variability of the Maltese O. mesaritica

Since the species is quite rare in Crete (locus typicus)  [WWW-190] , the Maltese islands seems to be the best 'nest' of this species in the Mediterranean, since it is locally frequent. I am one of the few who have studied the species in great depth and can highlight the variations observed in the population below. Codes in { } refer to examples from image OPHMS-16 (in the photogallery below) which displays 12 specimens side by side.

1. Plant size: The plants are usually 12-20 cm long, hence rather small and produce only 2-4 flowers. Specimens growing along high vegetation are exceptionally tall (up to 35cm) and produce 6-9 flowers, with typical sizes and shapes.
2. Labellum orientation This is usually quite variable from slightly to considerably bent down, but on average it is about 35 Degress to the horizontal plane.
3. Labellum size: Most specimens are between 12-14mm (from walls of stigmaic cavity to tip) but exceptional specimens of 15-16mm can be found.
4. Labelum colour: This is best described as dark reddish-brown, though some specimens showed a duller (blackish-) brown colour. I am not sure if this can be attributed to the different light condition (sunny or cloudy). Furthermore, many lips have a violet tinge, best observed in sunlight at the edge of the lip, and this is because of the dense violet hairs. In some specimens, this is not observed though.
5. Labellum hairsAlthough I have not studied this character in depth, there is variation in the length of the hairs and seen some specimens with dark brown hairs and others with purple-brown hairs.
6. Speculum: The speculum is one of the most variable parts of the flower, but the least significant in this group of Ophrys. I have seen pale greyish-blue {D1} (the most common) to more dull tones of indigo blue {A3}. It can be plain (monochromatic) {A1,D1} or specled wth few to many dark blue spots/patches {B1,B2,C2}. Exceptional specimens showed one or few reddish spots/patches at the central longitudinal axis of the speculum {C3}. Further more, some specimens had paler crescents {B1} or peri-speculr zones {C2}.
7. Underlip: The plants in Malta showed a certain degree of variability where the majority have a monochromatic green, pale green, or green with washed brown colour. Refer to image OPHMS-15. Some had a green or faint red centre with a vivid green border about 1-2mm thick, while few others had a darker red body at the centre. The latter raises the doubt if they are pure O. mesaritica or some other O. iricolor s.l. species.

Photo Gallery   (55 Images)

IMAGE: OPHMS-01
Close up photo of flower which was found at Dingli Cliffs on the 2nd of January 2006. One can note the velvety texture of the labellum originating from the dense short hairs on the darker part of the labellum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-02
Photo of another flower. The labellum is conspicuous and highly modified, mimicking the shape and colours of the specific male pollinator (in this case a wasp).

IMAGE: OPHMS-03
Photo of a typical flower of Ophrys mesaritica. The speculum of this species ranges from light blues (as in this specimen) to darker indigo-blue. There is considerable variety in speculum of different specimens, but has little taxonomic importance.

IMAGE: OPHMS-04
Photo of two flowers (side view). Up to 5 flowers can be seen on a single plant, with occasional specimens having up to 8 or 9 flowers.

IMAGE: OPHMS-05
Photo of flower. This specimen have several dark blue blobs at the blue speculum and a rather elongated labellum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-06
Photo of flower. The speculum of this specimen is very pale and without markings (monochromatic). Interestingly, this specimen has a red zone or border between the brown part of the labellum and the bluish speculum. The basal ridges are very distinct in his specimen.

IMAGE: OPHMS-07
Photo of a wet flower after rain. It shows well the elevated plateau with lateral ridges at the base of the labellum (near the mouth) which is a distinctive feature for the Ophrys iricolor group in which O. mesaritica belongs to.

IMAGE: OPHMS-08
Photo of flower and bud.

IMAGE: OPHMS-09
Photo of flowers. Some specimens have labella with a narrow (hairline) yellow rim.

IMAGE: OPHMS-10
Photo of flower having a pale grayish-blue speculum with several dark blue blobs and pale crescents.

IMAGE: OPHMS-11
Photo of 2 flowers having an interesting red border around the speculum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-12
Photo of flower. Lateral lobes rather small and the indentation at base of central lobe is very shallow.

IMAGE: OPHMS-13
Photo of the underside surface of flower (for short referred to as the underlip) which is often monochromatic (plain) green or washed brown as in this specimen.

IMAGE: OPHMS-14
Photo of the underlip of another specimen which is plain green, the most common colour in Ophrys mesaritica.

IMAGE: OPHMS-15
The underlip of Ophrys mesaritica is quite variable as it can be seen in this composite photo of 4 different examples.

IMAGE: OPHMS-16
Composite image of showing 12 flowers of Ophrys mesaritica found growing frequently in mainland Malta mainly between end December and January.

IMAGE: OPHMS-17
Photo of flower taken on the 12th Jan 2006.

IMAGE: OPHMS-18
Photo of flower taken on the 12th Jan 2006.

IMAGE: OPHMS-19
Photo of flower taken on the 12th Jan 2006.

IMAGE: OPHMS-20
Photo of flower taken on the 12th Jan 2006. Note the pale peri-specular zone.i.

IMAGE: OPHMS-21
This side-view photo clearly shows that the margins of the labellum are reflexed downwards, varying between one specimen and another.

IMAGE: OPHMS-22
A photo of beautiful specimen with colourful bluish speculum, a peach-brown perispecular zone, a reddish brown labellum and a yellow-green margin. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-23
Photo of another beautiful specimen with a reddish pattern at the central part of the speculum, something which is very rare to find in Ophrys mesaritica.

IMAGE: OPHMS-24
Close up photo of the labellum. Note the dense hairs which makes the labellum have a velvet-like texture.

IMAGE: OPHMS-25
Scanned image of a dissected labellum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-26
Scanned image of a dissected flower against a dark background. Note that the labellum is very hairy but the speculum is almost glabrous.

IMAGE: OPHMS-27
Scanned and annotated image of the flower parts.

IMAGE: OPHMS-28
Magnified scanned image of the flower. This specimen shows clearly that the lip hairs are dark purple. Some others have it brown.

IMAGE: OPHMS-29
Photo showing the detail of the anatomical parts of the reproductive organs of the flower.

IMAGE: OPHMS-30
Close up photo of the mouth of the flower showing detail of the 2 pollinia. These are those vertical columns with a spherical sticky knobs referred to as bursicles or viscidum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-31
Photo of detached pollinia stuck on a pencil point through its sticky viscidum.

IMAGE: OPHMS-32
Scanned and annotated imaged of plant.

IMAGE: OPHMS-33
The plant forms a rosette of broad leaves, with one (or two) upright leaves embracing the flowering stem for support.

IMAGE: OPHMS-34
Basal rosette of leaves having distinct parallel venation.

IMAGE: OPHMS-35
Photo of plants in leaves typically found on garigue habitat in Dec-Jan.

IMAGE: OPHMS-36
Photo of plants in leaves.

IMAGE: OPHMS-37
Photo of plants in flowers.

IMAGE: OPHMS-38
Photo of a relatively large plant having six flowers. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-39
Photo of typical smallish plants in Malta with 2-4 flowers. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-40
Photo of plants with few flowers. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-41
Photo of typical plant of Ophrys mesaritica in Malta - small plant (15cm high) with 3 flowers. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-42
Photo of another plant in a damp garigue. (2-Jan-2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-43
Photo of plants in their natural habitat.

IMAGE: OPHMS-44
Photo of a dense population of Ophrys mesaritica, showing that it is a locally frequent species on our islands.

IMAGE: OPHMS-45
Photo of fruit which is an elongated ovoid capsule with swollen longitudinal ridges.

IMAGE: OPHMS-46
Image of unripe and ripe fruits of this species.

IMAGE: OPHMS-47
Scanned image of seeds which are very small, light and beige.

IMAGE: OPHMS-48
Magnified image of seeds.

IMAGE: OPHMS-49
Photo of flower. (Jan 2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-50
Photo of flower. (Jan 2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-51
Photo of flower. (Jan 2006).

IMAGE: OPHMS-52
Photo of a beautiful flower found at Wied Anglu on 2nd Feb 2006.

IMAGE: OPHMS-53
Photo of a wet flower after rain.

IMAGE: OPHMS-54
Photo of another beautiful and colourful specimen. Note the purple tinge at the edges of the labellum as a result of the purple-brown hairs.

IMAGE: OPHMS-55
Photo of a dissected labellum against metric scale (each division = 1mm). Average size of the labellum of O. mesaritica is 14mm.

IMAGE: OPHMS-56

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