Southern Peloponnese

                    Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegaea
                   Anacamptis papilionacea ssp messenica
                   Anacamptis boryi
                   Anacamptis laxiflora
                   Ophrys aesculapii
                   Ophrys argolica
                   Ophrys attica
                   Ophrys cornutula
         Ophrys cytherea
                   Ophrys graeca
   Ophrys hellenica
                   Ophrys lacaena
                   Ophrys mammosa
                   Ophrys nestoris
                   Ophrys perpusilla
                   Ophrys penelopeae
                   Ophrys reinholdii
                   Ophrys spruneri
                   Ophrys stavri
   Searpias parviflora
   Serapias politisii

	Notable species :- Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegaea Anacamptis papilionacea ssp messenica Anacamptis boryi Anacamptis laxiflora Ophrys aesculapii Ophrys argolica Ophrys attica Ophrys cornutula Ophrys cytherea Ophrys graeca Ophrys hellenica Ophrys lacaena Ophrys mammosa Ophrys nestoris Ophrys perpusilla Ophrys penelopeae Ophrys reinholdii Ophrys spruneri Ophrys stavri Searpias parviflora Serapias politisii
Ophrys cytherea		Peloponnese

Ophrys argolica	Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. messenica	Ophrys nestoris
Areas of interest * Gytheio This is a thriving seaside town on the south coast of the municipality of Laconia which is surrounded by hillsides covered in increasingly scarce native oak forest. Much of the orchid interest lies in these woodlands and particularly along the road verges within them. The area to the east of the village of Neo Marathea can be rewarding and supports some very rare species which cannot be found anywhere else in the Peloponnese. Ophrys lacaena, Ophrys graeca, Ophrys cythera, Ophrys attica, Ophrys candica, Ophrys argolica, Anacamptis papilionacea subsp. messenica, Anacamptis pyramidalis var. brachystachys, Serapias bergonii, Serapias vomeracea. * Gargalianoi This is a substantial town some three miles from the coast in the municipality of Messenia and where to the north west and south east there are significant tracts of garrigue and abandoned quarries. This is home to a good variety of orchid species and not least to a small number of the scarce Ophrys nestoris. Ophrys stavri, Ophrys nestoris, Ophrys speculum, Ophrys ulyssea, Ophrys mammosa, Ophrys leptomera, Orchis italica, Anacamptis lactea, Serapias parviflora. * Megalopolis Situated centrally in the Peloponnese, the ancient town of Megalopolis (meaning "big city") is a great base to explore both the antiquities and the surrounding orchid rich region. To the north of the town and to the east of the power stations on the Katsimpalis road there are several areas where can be found tracts of open woodland and garrigue that support good numbers of orchids. To the south west is Neochori, a village surrounded by open woodland and scrub (particularly to the south) which offers an especially rich orchid flora, including one of the few other sites for Ophrys nestoris. Remarkably Ophrys epirotica has been recorded from the area. Ophrys argolica, Ophrys nestoris, Ophrys spruneri, Ophrys attica, Ophrys ferrum-equinum, Ophrys hellenica, Ophrys cornutula, Ophrys epirotica, Ophrys reinholdii, Ophrys aesculapii, Ophrys sicula, Orchis italica, Orchis simia, Neotinea lactea, Anacamptis boryi, Anacamptis fragrans, Anacamptis laxiflora, Anacamptis pyramydalis, Cephalanthera longifolia, Dactylorhiza romana, Serapias politisii, Serapias lingua. * Nafplion This is the regional capital of Argolis and is situated in one of the largest and most heavily cultivated areas of the Peloponnese. Somewhat surprisingly therefore to the south of the city is an extensive area of coastal garrigue which although not prolific, supports a number of orchid species. Staying to the south of the city but further inland is an area of scrub covered hills which can also be productive, particularly in the vicinity of the Holy Monastery of the Life Giving Spring. Ophrys argolica, Ophrys miniscula, Ophrys cornutula, Ophrys schlechteriana, Ophrys penelopeae, Ophrys melena, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Serapias bergonii. * Mystras Three kilometers west of Sparti is the small town of Mystras that encompasses the ancient ruins of the Byzantine fortified town of the same name. Orchids can be found on the hillsides and along the road verges in the vicinity. A walk from the ruins up a track to the Parori Gorge is also recommended. Ophrys argolica, Ophrys spruneri, Ophrys reinholdii, Ophrys attica, Ophrys galiliaea, Ophrys mammosa, Ophrys ferrum-equinum, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp aegea, Orchis simia, Orchis quadripunctata. * Aeropoli The Mani Peninsula region of the Peloponnese has long been known as a mecca for the botanist and its reputation for entertaining one of the widest variety of species in Greece is well deserved. Orchids are no exception and many opportunities for discovery are offered in the rugged country to the south and east of Aeropoli. A trip from Areopoli eastwards to Vachos and Drosopigi takes one through prime orchid habitat that can yield several Peloponesse specialties. Ophrys gottfriediana, Ophrys candica, Ophrys cerastes, Ophrys galilaea, Ophrys ferrum-equinum, Ophrys lacaena, Ophrys perpusilla, Ophrys graeca, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp messenica. * Paradeisia 10 kilometres to the south of Megolopolis lies the quaintly named village of Paradeisia. The road verges and tracks around the village are orchid rich and of particular interest is the area around the old railway station to the north of the village. Ophrys argolica, Ophrys aesculapii, Ophrys ferrum-equinum, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys spruneri, Orchis simia, Anacamptis papilionacea ssp messenica , Anacamptis coriophora, Anacamptis boryi, Cephalanthera longifolia.