This rare species is one of two species of orchids that used to belong to the genus Barlia. Today they are placed within the larger genus Himantoglossum.
Of the two former Barlia species one is a widespread species that can be found in many places around the Mediterranean sea with some outposts as far north as Switzerland and even Belgium. The other species Himantoglossum metlesicsianum is a very rare endemic of the Canary islands where it occurs mostly on the island of Tenerife.