Observation of Ophrys querciphila at Puig del Far, Osona

During a recent observation hike in the Puig del Far area, within the Osona region, we had the opportunity to document approximately seven specimens of Ophrys querciphila. Most of these individuals were in good overall condition, with some still presenting unopened flowers, indicating ongoing bloom.

Initially, there was some confusion with Ophrys scolopax, a species with which it shares a taxonomic group. However, the altitude of the find, at about 700 meters above sea level, and the flowering period, almost in early June, were key factors for correct identification. Ophrys querciphila is known for its late flowering, which spans from mid-May to late June, and its presence at this altitude fits perfectly within its altitudinal range, reaching up to 1040 meters in the Iberian Peninsula. All specimens were located adjacent to holm oak and oak forests, a habitat that highlights its intimate association with the Quercus genus, as its specific name, meaning 'friend of the oak or holm oak,' suggests. This observation in Osona reinforces the understanding of its distribution in the northeastern quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula, a Franco-Iberian endemism recently described in 2017.