
Archipelago Orchid (Ophrys archipelagi)… synonymous with O.x arachnitiformis or O x arachnitiformis Nm ‘archipelagiThis rare and local taxon is one of a group of similar 'species' in the Mediterranean region considered to have arisen from hybrids between various members of the O. fuciflora and O. Sphegodes complexes and placed under the umbrella term Ophrys archnitiformis.
The various taxa have formed partly stabilised populations and some authors (not this writer) consider them all to be separate species. Based on current DNA analysis it seems sensible to recognise morphological differences but class them as NOTOMORPHS. There are often problems with precise identity and thus in giving names because of F1, F2 and F3…hybrids playing a role with crossings and back-crossing. Thus the plants illustrated belong to O x arachnitiformis Nm ‘archipelagi’ a local taxon from Gargano and the Murge. photo nr Sannicandro, Gargano. Puglia. Italy April 201
The various taxa have formed partly stabilised populations and some authors (not this writer) consider them all to be separate species. Based on current DNA analysis it seems sensible to recognise morphological differences but class them as NOTOMORPHS. There are often problems with precise identity and thus in giving names because of F1, F2 and F3…hybrids playing a role with crossings and back-crossing. Thus the plants illustrated belong to O x arachnitiformis Nm ‘archipelagi’ a local taxon from Gargano and the Murge. photo nr Sannicandro, Gargano. Puglia. Italy April 201














