Ophrys reinholdii H. Fleischmann, 1907
One of the most beautiful orchids in the Mediterranean, with a wide distribution ranging from the Balkans to southwestern Iran. It blooms in March and April and gives its name to an entire group consisting of five species, all of which are equally impressive. Although it has a wide distribution, this orchid is by no means considered common. It is listed under CITES, and in several countries there are proposals to include it in the Red List of Threatened Species under the “critically endangered” category.
It was named in honor of the German physician Karl Reinhold, who served in Greece during the 19th century.
In 2012, on Kythira, I came across a small group of 10 plants growing in a confined area at the edges of cultivated fields. So far this year, two of the ten plants have bloomed.
