Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Orchidaceae ⟩ Ophrys apifera / bee orchid

Ophrys apifera Huds.

bee orchid (Orchidaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadModerate tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Ophrys apifera grows in base-rich soils across England, Ireland, peripheral parts of Wales and the Isle of Man; it is very rare in Scotland.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2019-06-15

 bee orchid / Ophrys apifera: _Ophrys apifera_ grows in base-rich soils across England, Ireland, peripheral parts of Wales and the Isle of Man; it is very rare in Scotland.

The flowers of Ophrys apifera are adapted to mimic Andrena bees, but the plants in the British Isles are mostly self-pollinating.

Hartslock (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2014-06-06

 bee orchid / Ophrys apifera: The flowers of _Ophrys apifera_ are adapted to mimic _Andrena_ bees, but the plants in the British Isles are mostly self-pollinating.

The projection at the end of the labellum of Ophrys apifera is curved round behind the flower and is not visible from in front, but can be seen here; in Ophrys fuciflora, it points straight downwards and can be seen face-on.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2019-06-03

 bee orchid / Ophrys apifera: The projection at the end of the labellum of _Ophrys apifera_ is curved round behind the flower and is not visible from in front, but can be seen here; in _Ophrys fuciflora_, it points straight downwards and can be seen face-on.

Ophrys apifera var. trollii is a variety sometimes known as the ‘wasp orchid’.

Sheepscombe (VC33: East Gloucestershire); 2016-06-12

 bee orchid / Ophrys apifera: _Ophrys apifera_ var. _trollii_ is a variety sometimes known as the ‘wasp orchid’.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne