Orchis quadripunctata, Cyr. ex Ten., 1811

D. M. Moore (ed.), 1980, CCIII Orchidaceae, Flora Europaea, Vol 5: Alismataceae to Orchidaceae, Camebridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 325-350 : 341

22. O. quadripunctata Cyr. ex Ten. ,

FI. Nap. 1, Prodr. 53 (1811).

Tubers subglobose or ovoid. Stem 10-30 cm, erect or slightly flexuous, with a basal rosette of 2-4 leaves and with sheaths above, naked in upper part. Leaves oblong-lanceolate or -linear. Spike ovoid or cylindrical, many-flowered. Bracts lanceolate, 1 - to 3-veined, shorter than to as long as ovary. Flowers purple-violet or pinkish. Outer perianth-segments 3-5 mm, patent, ovate, obtuse, the median oblong to ovate, recurved; inner 2-5 mm, obliquely ovate, obtuse. Labellum orbicular or rhombic, white at the base, with purple spots, 3-lobed (rarely entire); lateral lobes 4-7 mm, convergent, cruciform or divergent, oblong, ovate or rhombic; middle lobe oblong or squarish, truncate. Spur filiform, not widened towards the mouth, about as long as ovary.

Mediterranean region, from Sardegna eastwards. A 1 Cr Gr It Ju Sa Si.