The butterfly orchid is a species with a mainly Mediterranean distribution, present in all regions of Italy except Trentino-Alto Adige. It grows in dry meadows and uncultivated grasslands, from sea level to the colline belt. The species is sporadic in the outer belt of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with grasslands and garrigue vegetation. The genus name derives from the Greek 'anakamptéin' (to fold) for the outer tepals which are bent outwards, or for the two raised and spreading structures which are located at the entrance of the spur; the species name comes from the Latin 'papilio' (butterfly), for the similarity of the flower with a butterfly. The species was recently transferred into the genus Anacamptis on the basis of molecular data; before it was placed into the genus Orchis , which in Greek means 'testicles', referring to the two paired tubers of different sizes. Flowering period: April to May. Syn: Orchis papilionacea L.

Italian name(s): Cipolla cipressina (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Cipressini (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Giglione (Toscana, Val di Chiana), Orchide farfalla (Italia), Orchidea papilionacea (Italia), Sipressina (Liguria, Genova), Sipressina da montagna (Liguria, Genova), Siulla (Liguria, Genova), Testicolo di cane (Toscana).