This may be the rarest Ophrys species in Germany. It is very warmth-loving and grows on very sunny, rocky places with lime in the soil and short grass.

The blossoms are not as colorful as the blossoms of O. fuciflora, but rather big. They bear a Pi- or H-shaped mark.

It's an extremely variable species with many south european subspecies, including ssp. aeskulapii, ssp. atrata, ssp. mammosa, ssp. spruneri and many, many more. Greenhouse culture may be possible, as described under O. fuciflora.

The middle european ssp. sphegodes may be cultivated in regions with mild winter climate. Place them in the upper half of a dry hill bed.