Caucasian Ophrys

Family Orchidaceae. Endemic species. Grows only in our country in Transcaucasia, Dagestan, and Talysh, along forest edges, in shrubs on grassy slopes, and among rocks up to the middle mountain belt.

The plant is 20–35 cm tall with a nearly globose tuber. Leaves in the lower half of the stems, oblong-lanceolate, 6–8.5 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide. Inflorescence sparse, of 4–10 flowers. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, longer than the ovary. Flowers rather large, up to 2.5 cm long, sessile. Perianth segments spreading, outer ones oblong-lanceolate, yellowish-green; the two inner ones considerably smaller than the outer ones, linear-lanceolate, one-veined, greenish-brown. The labellum in all Ophrys without a spur, directed downward; in the Caucasian Ophrys it is 12–13 mm long, 10–12 mm wide between the tips of the lateral lobes, velvety, broadly obovate, dark reddish-brown, with a bluish-purple marking in the form of the letter H, entire or three-lobed, the middle lobe kidney-shaped to cordate, with a small callous appendage; lateral lobes short, oblong-triangular. Anther cap blunt at the apex or with a beak-like straight appendage. Stigma concave. Ovary slightly twisted. Flowers in May.

The population of this species is very small; it is encountered rarely, especially in the territory of Armenia, where it is under threat of extinction. It grows in small groups or as solitary individuals. The plant reproduces only by seed. Flowers are pollinated by bumblebees and other bumblebee-like insects (males). Fruit capsules are formed rarely. It flowers several years after germination; its lifespan is not precisely established. The population of the Caucasian Ophrys continues to decline due to the collection of flowering specimens and disturbances to the species' habitats. All locations of the species are subject to protection; collection and digging up of plants are prohibited.