O. polyxo was first described from Laerma. Rhodes by Mast de Maeght, Garnier, Devillers and Devillers-Terschuren in 2005. It is a member of the eastern Mediterranean based O. heldreichii group of Ophrys and is named after Polyxo, erstwhile Queen of ancient Rhodes.
The 2005 study concluded that plants formerly recognized as the species O. ceto and O. bremifera of the O. oestrifera group were in fact a separate species within the O. heldreichii group. O. polyxo is thought to be of hybridogenous origin with O. cornutula as a parent and this would certainly account for the difficulties that can be encountered with separating the two Rhodian endemics. A great deal of study has been concentrated on the Greek Ophrys genus over the last few years and results are not always easy to assimilate, either in the field or photographically. Neither species is uncommon on the island and intermediates are regularly recorded so the description that follows should be read with that in mind.
O. polyxo is a sturdy, fairly tall plant, usually with six or less flowers spaced alternately up the stem in a vaguely one sided pattern. The flower is somewhat larger and more rotund than O. cornutula with a more elaborate, sometimes gaudy speculum. Significantly, petals are long, being up to half the length of the sepals. Flowering is at least two weeks later.
The photos are from Rhodes, dating from the commencement of flowering in early April.
