O. lucis was first described as a subspecies of O. aegaea from Rhodes by Kalteisen and Reinhard but subsequently promoted to full species status by Paulus and Gack in 1990. It is a species that has acquired several synonyms over the years, including as a subspecies of O. ferrum-equinum due to its horseshoe shaped speculum. Its name is derived from the Latin "lucidus" which means "with light", a refernce to the shiny surface of the lip.

This distinctive orchid can be found on a small number of Aegean islands and on the adjacent mainland of south west Turkey. It is nowhere common but at its most frequent in central Rhodes, notably around Profit Ilias where it prefers semi shaded positions in light woodland. It rarely grows in open habitat and is invariably found on alkaline substrates.

O. lucis is moderately variable with a generally three lobed lip and strongly hairy shoulders and lateral lobes. It does not possess protuberences or a recognizable basal field and the speculum is almost always horseshoe shaped, sometimes limited to two parallel droplets. The labellum colour can vary from chestnut brown to orange and in this respect bears a strong resemblance to O. aegaea. There is however no range overlap and confusion is therefore unlikely.

The picture is from Rhodes, dating from the first week of April, at which time flowering was drawing to an end.