Bee orchid

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) in flower. The flowers of this orchid have evolved to resemble a female bee sitting on a flower.

Ophrys apifera - Buckinghamshire, 17/06/2014

taken with a zuiko macro 135mm canon 30D View On Black Grows in a wide range of habitat on chalk, clay and calcareous sand, in grassland, scrub, sand dunes, limestone pavement, roadside verges, abandoned quarries and industrial waste ground where weathering has produced a base-rich substrate. Although most sites are well-drained, it can also flourish in damp areas. It is an active coloniser, sometimes appearing in large numbers on newly graded and sown road margins.

Bee Orchids

Flowers that look like animals play a unique role in the ecosystem: Some use their natural mimicry to trick insects into pollinating them, while others add a whimsical touch to tropical forests and succulent gardens.

Ophrys fuciflora. A bee orchid from more temperate climes. Velvety black and delicate lavender.

Close up of the flower head on a Bee Orchid, seen here on the Buckland Hills. One of the most iconic orchids in Britain, it is, despite its exotic appearance, one of the most adaptable species, sites ranging from traditional chalk... more

Ophrys apifera - Buckinghamshire, 17/06/2014