Dactylorhiza romana
Epipactis veratrifolia
Cephalanthera rubra
Ophrys alasiatica
Ophrys aphrodite
Ophrys astarte
Ophrys carmeli
Ophrys elegans
Ophrys flavomarginata
Ophrys galilaea
Ophrys israelitica
Ophrys kotschi
Ophrys lapethica
Ophrys levantina
Ophrys morio
Ophrys orientalis
Ophrys posteria
Orchis punctulata
Orchis sezikiana
Serapias aphroditae
Areas of interest
Please note that the following list refers only to those sites that could prove productive in the Cypriot Spring, which in a normal year covers the period from the beginning of February through to the end of March. A separate page to cover the early summer species from the mountains is in the course of preparation.
* Smygies Picnic Site, Akamas Peninsula
This is a well known recreational area situated in the heart of the Akamas peninsula and visited by thousands of tourists every year. The bulk of this invasion takes place in the summer however, when much of the botanical interest has shriveled in the Cypriot sun. It is accessed by a minor road heading west from the village of Neo Chorio, along which orchids may be found in wilder areas amongst small scale agriculture. Interest really starts along the road verges as you enter the woodland and continues into the forest, interestingly it is (or was) here that O. villosa appeared in its then only Cypriot site. It is a large area and despite clear signs of degradation by the summer visitors, many orchids persist. Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, O. aphrodite, Dactylorhiza romana, Orchis anatolica, Orchis sezikiana, Orchis troodi, Orchis anatolica, Serapias aphrodite, Serapias levantina.
* Latsi
This was once a small village along the north coast of the Akamas peninsula but which over recent years has become a sprawling tourist development that has completely subsumed the original beauty of this part of the coast. To the landward side of the road however, the brooding hills of the Akamas rise and extend southwards where in the few remaining uncultivated or abandoned areas, orchids persist. One such location can be found to the west of the resort behind a small parking area at 35 02.804N 32 21.768E.
This area comprises rough ground and abandoned groves that stretch uphill either side of a track. It is rich in orchids including good stands of Orchis punctulata. It is however a site at great risk from both further tourist development and scrub encroachment. Anacamptis collina, Himantoglossum robertianum, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys flavomarginata, Ophrys posteria, Ophrys elegans, Ohrys mammosa, Ophrys morio, Ophrys orientalis, Serapias levantina.
* Paramali
From the village of Paramali take the B6 to Episkopi and after 500 metres park at 34 40.529N 32 48.425E. To the north is a large area of phrygana and small trees, through which runs a shallow valley where the foundations of some old Britih military buildings persisit. Orchids can be found throughout the area but particularly in the slightly lusher ground of the valley. Anacamptis collina, Himantoglossum robertianum, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys flavomarginata, Ophrys astarte, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys mammosa, Ophrys morio, Ophrys orientalis, Orchis simia, Orchis italica, Serapias levantina.
* Akrotiri Salt Lake
From the village of Akrotiri take the first left turn onto the Konstantinou kai Elenis which runs to the south of the lake. This road passes through a mixture of cultivation and lightly wooded phrygana which supports good numbers of orchids including Ophrys kotschyi. It is a large area to cover and perhaps the most productive is approx 1 kilometere down the road where a track leads to a ramshackle goat farm. The buildings can be clearly seen on Google maps. Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys astarte Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys orientalis, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys cinereophila, Orchis syriaca, Serapias levantina.
* Holy Monastry of St Nicholas of the Cats
This monastry lies at the end of a long low phrygana bordered driveway on the right of the Konstantinou kai Elenis, approx 1 kilometere further on than the previous site. It is not a huge area but holds a good variety of orchids. Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys astarte, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys orientalis, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys cinereophila, Orchis syriaca, Serapias levantina.
*Aghios Georgios
From the monastry return to Akrotiri and follow the road, Agiou Georgiou westward through the village for 1.5 kilometeres to the church of Saint George. The small building is walled and surrounded by sparse, often dessicated garrigue. Orchids are not abundant but the area is home to a healthy population of O. kotschyi. We should mention that it also home to a healthy population of mosquitoes and precautions are recommended ! Ophrys galilaea, Ophrys astarte, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys orientalis, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys cinereophila, Orchis syriaca, Serapias levantina.
* Larnaca Salt Lake
This is situated to the south of the town, adjacent to the countries main airport. There is a large car park at the southernmost edge of the lake which accomodates visitors wishing to watch the Flamingoes wading through the shallows. It is also a popular picnic and recreation area for locals. The scrubby ground and light woodland around the south west perimeter of the lake is another site typical of many in Cyprus, in that the all too obvious trampling and littering present a somewhat sorry picture that does not suggest the area has a lot to offer by way of orchids. Whilst numbers have declined however, it still offers a worthwhile range of species. Ophrys aphrodite, Ophrys astarte, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys orientalis, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys cinereophila, Orchis syriaca, Orchis italica, Serapias levantina.
* Pegeia Forest
From the village of Pegeia take the E709 north and after a few hundred metres you enter the forest.which is also known as the Pikni Forest. The forested area continues for several kilometres eventually turning into more open, rocky countryside. Orchids can be found throughout. Dactylorhiza romana, Neotinea maculata, Ophrys aphrodite, Ophrys astarte, Ophrys lapethica, Ophrys levantina, Ophrys mammosa, Ophrys orientalis, Ophrys israelitica, Ophrys elegans, Ophrys cinereophila, Orchis syriaca, Orchis italica, Serapias aphrodite, Serapias levantina.