This is one of the seventeen member O. bornmuelleri  group that range across the eastern and central   Mediterranean. O. biancae itself is endemic to the island of Sicily from where it was first described in 1842 and named after the Italian botanist Signor G. Bianca.

Even in a genetically pure form it is a highly variable orchid capable of impersonating other of the Sicilian fuciflorids with which it often grows. It is also somewhat promiscuous and regular hybridisation serves only to produce offspring that makes identification all the more difficult.

Initial identification can be made relatively easily by virtue of its significantly smaller size, up to a third smaller than the species with which it commonly mixes, i.e.: O. oxyrrhynchos, O. calliantha and O. lacaitae. Another significant differentiator is its early flowering, being in advance of O. oxyrrhynchos by at least a month and 6 weeks before the two latter species. As with others of the bornmuelleri group, O. biancae has a significant marginal ring of hair around the lip, a feature which sets it apart from the more clean shaven appearance of the others. These marginal hairs are however seldom complete, as would be found with O. bornmuelleri itself.

O. biancae is thought to be an ancient species with origins that go back to the eastern Mediterranean and   probably to O. tenthredinifera. This would  certainly explain the plants ability to sometimes imitate O.   grandiflora and also the facility with which it will hybridize with that species.

The pictures date from the second and third weeks of April and all come from locations in the south east of Sicily, notably to the east of Ferla where its a relatively common species.