Documenting Ophrys santonica: A Late-Flowering Orchid

After a morning spent on botanical exploration at Puig del Far (Osona), we relocated to a specific site in Garrotxa with the primary goal of observing Himantoglossum hircinum. However, the unexpected highlight of the day was the discovery of a specimen of Ophrys santonica.

This observation marks the first record of this orchid for the observer, a significant addition to the understanding of Catalan flora. Ophrys santonica is notable for its very late flowering period, typically spanning from late June to late July, and its small, "scolopaxoid" flowers. The labellum, one of its most distinctive features, measures about 8x5 mm, is strongly convex with small gibbosities, and displays a very characteristic yellow (or rarely brown) glabrous marginal stripe, along with an "X"-shaped macula.

The finding was particularly noteworthy as the initial on-site identification was incorrect; at the time of observation, the specimen was mistaken for another Ophrys querciphila, resulting in only a single photograph being captured. Ophrys santonica typically thrives in mesophilous meadows, pastures, wet ditches, or forest edges, on calcareous or marly substrates, conditions often found in this region. Its presence is localized and fragmented across the Iberian Peninsula, underscoring the importance of this distribution confirmation in Garrotxa, adding to the already known points in Catalonia. Its conservation status is vulnerable, making every observation of this orchid a valuable contribution to its knowledge and protection.