This orchid with a mainly western, strictly Mediterranean distribution is present only in western Sardinia in Sicily and on some Tuscan islands. It grows in woods and meadows, on siliceous substrates, below the lower montane 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' (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, from the Latin 'longus' (long) and 'cornus' (horn) refers to the particularly long spur. 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: March to April. Syn.: Orchis longicornu Poir.

Italian name(s): Ochidea cornuta (Italia).