Andalucia Life Fauna and Flora, Flowers of Andalucia Southern Spain

Mirror Orchid - Ophrys speculum

There are around eighty species of orchid growing in Andalucia and about twenty are from the Ophrys family. Like all orchids the Ophrys needs a host, normally a fungi, from which to extract nutrients whilst using its green leaves to supply glucose to the host. The area around Grazalema is rich with orchids including this one, the Mirror Orchid. It is distinguished from other Ophrys by its metallic blue speculum, especially noticeable after rain. It flowers from March until May and favours maquis.