|
|
|
Ophrys apifera var chlorantha
 |
|
| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
Bee Orchid
Ophrys apifera
IDENTIFICATION:
This is probably our best known and well-loved orchid. There are five or six grey-green, strap-shaped basal leaves, often scorched at the tips by flowering time, two stem leaves and long, leaf-like bracts. The stem, 15-50cm tall, bears two to seven (rarely ten) flowers. The flowers, which resemble a fat bumblebee, have three erect pink sepals, each marked with three green veins. The upper petals are brown with inrolled margins, so that they appear cylindrical. The three-lobed lip is a rich red-brown, the central lobe round and convex, velvety in texture with 'U'- shaped bands of dark brown and gold at the base. The side lobes form rounded, furry humps. The yellow apex of the lip is folded back. The column is prominent and beaked, with a fanciful resemblance to a duck's head. In this lie the two large pollinia, their caudicles running in deep grooves. There are eight distinct forms, other than the normal form, which are shown in the next species account (Bee Orchid - varieties and forms). Although normally monocarpic, plants have been known to flower for eight successive seasons.
This is a link to BritainsOrchids |
Pitoncle has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
|
|
|
nice albino, TFS Ori
wild!!1 I've been looking for those
Well Done
Bonjour Anita et Mike,
La lumière n'est pas excellente mais le sujet est bien mis en valeur.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 50 W: 4 N: 146]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2124 W: 11 N: 1812]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}