Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

The Orchids constitute a large and specialized Family. They produce minute seeds, the smallest known, in large numbers. In order to germinate, these seeds have to be

infected by a type of fungus which eventually penetrates to the roots. The orchid lives underground for a period which

varies from one to several years, after which the leaves emerge. Maltese orchids are all tuberous perennials; they

bear two tubers, one of which is swollen and the other shriveled. The flowers have 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which is specialized and referred to as the labellum. In

many species of the genus Ophrys, the labellum resembles an insect.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Common name: Small-flowered Tongue

Orchid.

Latin name: Serapias parviflora

Maltese name: Orkida ta’ l-Ilsien |g]ira.

Flowers in spring. Grows in garigue, rocky steppes and abandoned fields. Frequent.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Common name: Mirror Orchid

Latin name: Ophrys speculum (= O. vernixia; O.

ciliate)

Maltese name: Dubbiena Kahla.

Spring-flowering. Labellum has metallic, mirror-like appearance. Grows in garigue and steppes. On the island of Malta it is very rare, while on Gozo it is scarce but rather widespread. Also found on Comino.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Common name: Brown Orchid

Latin name: Ophrys fusca

Maltese name: Dubbiena

Flowers in winter and spring. Very variable. Grows in garigue, steppes and maquis. In 1993, Belgian botanist Delforge distunguished three different races which he regards as separate species. Frequent.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Common name: Yellow Bee Orchid

Latin name: Ophrys lutea

Maltese name: |un\ana

Spring-flowering. Found in garigue, rocky steppes and maquis. Two

subspecies, lutea and minor, occur. Rare.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Common name: Maltese Spider Orchid

Latin name: Ophrys sphegodes ssp.

Melitensis

Maltese name: Brimba sewda

Spring-flowering. Grows in maquis, garigue and rocky steppes. Very

variable. Was often confused with similar subspecies or species.

Endemic. Scarce.

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Spring-flowering. Grows mostly in garigue and rock

steppe. Frequent.

Common name: Bumble Bee Orchid

Latin name: Ophrys bombyliflora

Maltese name: Na]la

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Winter-flowering. Grows in garigue, rocky steppes and

fallow fields. Frequent.

Common name: Fan Lipped Orchid

Latin name: Orchis collina (=O.

saccata)

Maltese name: Orkida }amra

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Spring-flowering. Grows in garigue, rocky steppes and abandoned fields. Colour of

flower very variable. Frequent.

Common name: Scented Bug Orchid

Latin name: Orchis coriophora ssp.

Fragrans

Maltese name: Orkida Tfu]

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Winter-flowering. Grows in garigue, rocky steppes and neglected fields. Colour and pattern of flowers very variable. Belgian botanist Delforge

has recently suggested that the Maltese plants are O. conica.

Frequent.

Common name: Milky Orchid

Latin name: Orchis lactea

Maltese name: Orkida tat-Tikek

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Flowers in April and May. Grows in steppes,

garigue, maquis, clays and fallow fields.

Frequent.

Common name: Common Pyramidal

Orchid

Latin name: Anacamptis pyramidalis

Maltese name: Orkida Piramidali

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

Flowers from February to April. Grows on garigue and rocky steppes. Resembles Common Pyramidal Orchid, but generally smaller with pale

pink or white flowers. Named by botanists Sommier and Caruana Gatto. Endemic, but some plants found recently in the Gargano

peninsula in Puglia (Italy) are said to belong to this species. Scarce.

Common name: Maltese Pyramidal

Orchid

Latin name: Anacamptis urvilleana

Maltese name: Orkida Piramidali ta’

Malta

Dun {u\epp |ammit BrighellaBoys’ Junior Lyceum }amrun

Malta

This is an endangered orchid. It is only found in the Maltese Islands and in Sicily. This is protected by law as well as Ophrys melitensis and Anacamptis urvilleana (the last 2 are endemic to the Maltese Islands only).

Common name: Moon Spider

Latin name: Ophrys lunulata

Maltese name: Brimba tal-Qamar