BEE ORCHID |
OPHRYS APIFERA |
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| Fig 1 |
DESCRIPTION: Height up to 30cm. A relatively common yet striking perennial that begins as a small rosette of leaves that first appear in the autumnal months. They continue to grow until the following year a spike bearing up to 10 flowers arises. Thest alkless leaves on the spike are alternately arranged, elliptical and pointed. Each flower has 3 pink sepals that are marked with 3 green veins each. 2 small green petals are found with a lip that is green and brown and velvety in texture. Although the flower looks like a bee the plant usually self-pollinates. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread in the southern half of Britain. HABITAT: Quite diverse with roadside verges, clacerous and limestone grassland, scrub and wasteland all favoured sites. FLOWERING TIME: June to July. |