This delicate Ophrys is amongst the most exquisit in the genus as it combines true black with a radiant white.
It is closely related to the more common Ophrys reinholdii, but in my eyes seems the more finished version. Mostly because the colour and shape seem more tidy. Together with the Himantoglossum comperianum it was the orchid that caused this visit to Turkey.
This quite rare orchid occurs only in Turkey, Irak and Iran but has been found in Cyprus aswell. It seems to replace the Ophrys reinholdii in the east. Another interesting aspect is that the subsp. straussii occurs on higher altitudes than the normal reinholdii and is more typically a woodland plant.
Besides the typical subsp. straussii there has also been a subsp. leucotaenia, that can be recognised by the flowers that have more white on, especially the side lobes. A great rarity and even more beautifull than the normal subsp. strausii. However this supspecies is currently not longer recognised. On this photopage I will keep them separated though.