Orchidaceae

O. coriophora L., Sp. PI. 940 (1753). Syn: O. fragrans Pollini, Elem. Bot. Comp.2:155,t.ult.f.2(18n);O. cassidea Bieb., F1. Taur.-Cauc. 3 : 600 (1819). Ic: Reichb. fil., Ic. Fl. Germ. 13/14: t. 14 & 15 (1850), as O. fragrans and O. coriophora respectively; Sanderm., Europ. Medit. Orchid, ed. 2:124, f. 7.1 (1975). Map 96.
Plant 20-60 cm. Basal leaves 4-10, ±erect, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, (5-) 8-15(-20) x 0.5-1.5(-3) cm. Spike cylindrical, densely many-flowered. Bracts exceeding ovary. Flowers small, dark purple, brownish-red or greenish-red, foul-smelling or sweet-scented. Sepals united into a hood, with slightly curved apex. Labellum ovate, c. 6-10 mm, 3-lobed, deflexed, reddish-green with purplish papillae and spots;lateral lobes rhombic, ± crenulate; middle lobe ligulate-oblong, entire, exceeding lateral lobes, c. 4 mm. Spur conical, slightly curved, shorter than ovary. Fl. 4-6. Wet meadows, nr streams, also in dry sandy places, open forests, 20-1930 m.
Described from S. Europe (Hb, Linn. 1054/18, photo!).
Widespread. A1(A) Balikesir: Marmara adasi, A. Baytop & Öktem (ISTE 17885)! A2(E) Istanbul: nr Haikali, 6 vi 1902, Azn.! A2(A) Istanbul: Hey-beliada, 13 vi 1897, Azn.! A3 Bolu: Abant G., 1280 m, Bisby D.62 p.p.! A4 Çankiri: Işik Da., Sariköyü, 1500 m, Akman (ANK 3006)! A5 Sinop: ince Burun, 40 m, Tobey 1067! A6 Ordu: 34 km N. of Koyulhisar towards Ordu, 1520 m, Taub. 76.365! A7 Giresun: nr Kümbet, 1650 m, Taub. 81.291! A8 Gümüşane: nr Bayburt, Bourgeau 658! A9 Kars:Selim to Sarikamiş, nr Çatak -köyü, 1930 m, Renz 9297! Bl izmir: izmir, Boiss.! B2 Izmir: Bozdağ, 1000 m, Başarman (ISTF 6641)! B3 Eskişehir: Sündiken Da., Atalan tekke, 1000 m, Ekim 907! B4 Ankara: Balumköy, Gassner(ANK 492)! B6 Malatya: Pin-arbaş to Gürün, E. side of pass, 1830 m, D. 21983! B7 Erzincan: Eğin (Kemaliye), Sint. 1890:2651! B8 Siirt: Silvan to Kozluk, 750 m, Renz 6451! B9 Bitlis: Küçüksu nr Tatvan, 1800 m, Renz 11627! Cl Muğla: Aydin to Milas, 660 m, Demiriz (ISTF 13415)! C2 Muğla: Sekiyaylasi nr Fethiye, M. Başarman & N. Heilbronn (ISTF 6311)! C3 Isparta: Isparta to Eğridir, Akbaş 709! C4 Içel: Anamur to Gazipaşa, 20 m, Hub.-Mor. 14010! C5 Içel: Pozanti, Siehe 1896:383! C6 Gaziantep: Karasu, between Kaysun and Gaziantep, 640 m, Balls 2339! C7 Urfa: Karaca Da., nr Siverek, 1600 m, Malyer(ISTF 1603)! C8 Mardin: 10 km S.W. of Mardin towards Diyarbakir, 950 m, Taub. 78.249! C9 Siirt: 10-12 km S. of Şirnak, 600-700 m, D. 42698! C10 Hakkari: 32 km from Yüksekova to Şemdinli, 1750 m, D. 45087! Is:Lesvos,W. side of harbour, Gathorne-Hardy 120! Khios, Renz 717! Samos, 1-3 km W. of Marathokampos, 300-400 m, Runem. & Snog. 19050! Kos, Asclepeion, 50-100 m, Gölz & Reinhard 17715! Rodhos, Epta Piges, 1971, Fagerstén!
N,, W. & C. Europe, Mediterranean area, Caucasia, Turkestan, Transcaspia, N. Iraq, N., N.W. & W. Iran. O. fragrans Pollini is doubtfully distinct from O. coriophora. It was characterised by having larger, agreeably-scented flowers with longer, acute sepals, and a usually red labellum with elongate middle lobe. The rich material from Turkey shows a continuous range of variation in scent, sepal shape and size and coloration of floral parts. As no correlation of characters exists, it seems impossible to clearly separate the two taxa.