Μελισσούι, Οφρύς η ομφαλοειδής υποείδος η Λαπηθιώτικη
Etymology of Ophrys umbilicata subspecies lapethica: The name of the genus "Ophrys" comes from the Αncient Greek word "ὀφρύς" which means "eyebrow" and represents the hairy edge of the flower bud found in many species. "Umbilicata" is the female Latin for "navel-shaped", and "Lapethica" refers to the Cypriot village of "Lapethos" in the Kyrenia region, where it was initially found.
It is estimated that at least 31 Ophrys species, subspecies and hybrids have been discovered in Cypriot nature so far.
Synonyms: It was previously called Ophrys lapethica and Ophrys scolopax.
It is a subspecies of the umbilicata family. Ophrys umbilicata subsp. lapethica is an indigenous and near-endemic plant (it was initially discovered in Cyprus but later on it was also found in Anatolia, Turkey). Even though it exists in all the regions of the island except for the south-eastern part, it is not as common as other Ophrys species and subspecies. It is encountered at low to moderate altitudes of 100-900 metres and it blossoms between February and April.
