This variety was first described from the Peloponnese by Delforge in 2000 and its name derives from the latin "niveus" meaning snow white, an obvious reference to the colour of the flower.

A. pyramidalis var. nivea has a widespread range from central and eastern Italy, Croatia and to Greece, including the Aegean islands. It is not an uncommon orchid and may be established in substantial populations in its favoured sites. It is however not to be confused with white forms of the type species which occur commonly throughout its range. The most important feature of this variety is that the flower is completely pure white with just a yellowish tinge within the stigmatic cavity. In white forms of the nominate species there is always a pink flush to the flower, albeit sometimes difficult to detect.

Close inspection of the flower will reveal that the spur is both thinner and shorter than in A. pyramidalis but this can be difficult to detect in the field. The plant is otherwise indistinguishable. It flowers from late April to late May and prefers dry, calcareous soils, usually in full sun but is known to tolerate the semi shade of open pine forest.

The single picture comes from Crete and dates from the last week of April at which time many of the plants were still in bud.