Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris  

A clan from South Eastern France similar to Ophrys majellensis has been described as Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris by HERMAN VAN LOOKEN in Liparis 11: 51-64 (2005). Its name has been chosen according to the village of Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne west of Grasse in South Eastern France. More wide-spread are orchids like this in the calcarous region of Liguria, where the author hasn't seen and compared it. The article lists several details why the South Eastern French orchid is different from Ophrys majellensis, and puts it into relationship to Ophrys sipontensis.

The species is rather late in flower, about end of May to middle of June. From far its big dark blooms are looking like "black holes" in the environment. Its next related species is Ophrys incubacea, while the Ophrys majellensis from Central Italy, which I haven't seen yet myself, shall be closer related to Ophrys garganica.

In Jour.Eur.Orch. 43 (4) ROMOLINI and SOCA describe the species as Ophrys ligustica because all attempts of VAN LOOKEN to describe the species shall have been invalid.

Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris left:   F S.Vallier-de-Thiey 26.5.05 right: F Tourettes-sur-Loup 3.6.04

Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris F Tourettes-sur-Loup 3.6.04

Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris I Imperia 26.5.01

Ophrys incubacea subsp. castri-caesaris I Liguria Toirano 25.5.01

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