John and Gerry's    Orchids of Britain and Europe
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Lesbos

Notable species :-

Anacamptis collina
Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea
Himantoglossum comperianum
Himantoglossum bolleanum
Ophrys attaviria
Ophrys blitopertha
Ophrys bucephala
Ophrys calypsus
Ophrys cinerophila
Ophrys dodekanensis
Ophrys israelitica
Ophrys lesbis
Ophrys lindia
Ophrys masticorum
Ophrys mesaritica
Ophrys minutula
Ophrys mycenensis
Ophrys parosica
Ophrys pelinaea
Ophrys perpusila
Ophrys persephone
Ophrys reinholdii
Ophrys sitiaca
Serapias carica
Serapias orientalis


                                                                                              Lesbos
                               Ophrys bucephala
                                 Ophrys parosica
                                   Ophrys reinholdii


Areas of interest


* Plomari.

This town is situated on the south coast of the island and is surrounded by orchid rich habitat. The road verges, terraces and garrigue in all directions can yield a good variety of species, together with a bewildering assortment of Pseudophrys hybrids. Of particular interest are the small tracks and roads within the triangle formed by Plomari itself and the towns of Pappados and Fteli. The dirt tracks radiating from the Lagcada to Tarti road are especially rewarding.
The winding sections of the road from Plomari to Megalochori are also productive and a good location to seek out Ophrys bucephala. Finally, there are large areas of coniferous and some mixed woodland along the Plomari to Pappados road and these can yield many of the islands woodland species.  Ophrys minutula, Ophrys parosica, Ophrys pelinea, Ophrys sitiaca, Ophrys bucephala, Ophrys attica, Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys mammosa, Dactylorhiza romana, Orchis pinetorum, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegaea.

*
Melinda.

Situated some 5kms west of Plomari the winding road northwards from this small town to Paleochori is a gem for the orchid enthusiast and particularly the slopes formed by the zig zag bends are home to many species, including some of the islands specialities such as Ophrys bucephala and Himantoglossum comperianumOrchis italica, Ophrys bucephala, Ophrys reinholdii, Ophrys iricolor, O. pelinea, Ophrys cinereophila, Ophrys sitiaca, Himantoglossum comperianum.


 
* Trigonas

This is a town some 3kms along the Mytilinis road from Plomari. just to the east of the town a road/track leads south, dividing and meandering across orchid rich terrain to the  coastal villages of Agios isidoros, Agios Varvara and Evaggelistria. The roads can be poor but generally negotiable in good weather. Ophrys iricolor, Ophrys attaviria, Ophrys blitopertha, Ophrys lindia, Ophrys cinereophila, Ophrys ceto, Anacamptis collina, Anancamptis papilionacea ssp aegea.


* Andissa

Situated in the north, Andissa is a well positioned centre from which to explore this part of the island. The verges and garrigue bordering the roads to Gavathas and Lapsarna can be rewarding and the latter a good route to follow in search of Ophrys lesbis. Ophrys bucephala,
Ophrys lesbis, Ophrys attaviria, Ophrys minutula, Ophrys villosa, Anacamptis collina, Anancamptis laxiflora, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea, Anacamptis sancta, Orchis simia, Serapias carica, Serapias orientalis.

* Lampou Myli.

From the town take the left turning to Pigi that branches from the main Mytilini road. This road is bordered along many stretches by old terraces and garrigue, all of which are rich in orchid species. Ophrys pelinaea, Ophrys attaviria, Ophrys minutula, Ophrys masticorum, Ophrys ceto, Ophrys sitiaca, Anacamptis lactea.

*
Pterounta

  To the east of the town of Pterounta is an area of mountainous terrain. There is a limited network of sealed and dirt roads that traverse the largely forested mountain and orchids are plentiful in suitable areas such as verges and clearings. Ophrys sitiaca, Ophrys pelinaea, Ophrys minutula, Ophrys dodekanensis, Ophrys omegaifera.