Ophrys lutea
Ophrys lutea
Sarı salep
subsp. minor
Syn: O.phryganae
Plants slender, 7-30 cm. Leaves ± basal, 3-5, broadly lanceolate to ovate. Spike 1-7-flowered. Sepals green, ovate; laterals spreading; dorsal erect, somewhat hooded. Petals linear, obtuse, 1/2-1/3 x sepals, yellowish-green. Labellum spreading, 3-lobed above middle, to 8 x 12 mm, with an intensely yellow, glabrous, flattened marginal zone to 2 mm broad ; lateral lobes not overlapping; middle lobe notched or bilobed at apex, with two dark purplish-brown divergent patches; speculum pale greyish-blue, shining, surrounded by a brown or purplish-brown velvety zone. Column obtuse. Fl. 3-4. Rocky limestone slopes, phrygana, macchie, olive groves, cemeteries, woodland margins, open Pinus brutia forests, s.l.-600m.
Mediterranean area. Medit. element. Subsp.lutea occurs in the W. Mediterranean area, eastwards to Greece and Crete.