Ophrys holosericea, the late spider orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae, native to western and central Europe and the Mediterranean region. There has been considerable confusion about the identity of this species and the correct spelling of its name.
This species is pollinated by Eucera bees, deceived by the flower that mimics a female bee.
Subtaxa The following subtaxa are accepted:
Ophrys holosericea subsp. andria – Aegean Islands Ophrys holosericea subsp. apulica – Eastern and southern Italy, southern Sicily, southern Croatia Ophrys holosericea subsp. biancae – Sicily Ophrys holosericea subsp. candica – Italy, Sicily, East Aegean Islands, Greece, Crete, Turkey Ophrys holosericea subsp. chestermanii – Sardinia Ophrys holosericea nothosubsp. delfuocoi – Italy Ophrys holosericea subsp. elatior – Eastern France, Switzerland, southwestern Germany Ophrys holosericea subsp. gracilis – Italy, Istria Ophrys holosericea subsp. holosericea – Entire range Ophrys holosericea subsp. lacaitae – southern Italy, Sicily, Malta, Vis Ophrys holosericea subsp. oblita – Southern Greece, East Aegean Islands, Turkey, Lebanon/Syria, Palestine, Israel Ophrys holosericea subsp. oxyrrhynchos – southern Italy, Sicily, Malta Ophrys holosericea subsp. pallidiconi – South southwest Turkey Ophrys holosericea subsp. parvimaculata – South-central and southern Italy Ophrys holosericea nothosubsp. robertidarum – Italy
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