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Ophrys apifera, known in Europe as the bee orchid.

$Ophrys apifera, known as the bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the family Orchidaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa. The plant grows to a height of 10-30 cm and has a rosette of leaves at the base of the stem. The stem bears a single flower, or sometimes two or three flowers. The flower is pink or purple with a yellow lip. The lip is shaped like a female bee, and the flower emits a scent that attracts male bees. When a male bee lands on the flower, it attempts to mate with the lip, which results in the transfer of pollen from the male bee to the flower.\n\nThe bee orchid is an example of a sexually deceptive orchid. These orchids mimic the appearance of other organisms, such as insects, in order to attract pollinators. In the case of the bee orchid, the flower mimics the appearance of a female bee. This attracts male bees, which attempt to mate with the flower. In the process, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, which helps to pollinate the plant.\n\nThe bee orchid is a threatened species in some parts of its range. The main threats to the plant are habitat loss and over-collection. The plant is also threatened by climate change, as it is a cold-adapted species.$

$Similar like O. sphegoides, but sepals pink, purple or whitish: lip 9-13mm, with a small pointed, heart-shaped tip, the pattern violet or blue with a yellowish margin – tip of lip forward pointing.\nHabitat: Short turf or unimproved grassland, field borders, road sites, on calcareous soils, to 1300m.\nFlowering Season: June-July.\nDistribution: SE Britain, Belgium, France and Germany. Widespread in C & S Europe, with several subspecies.\n\nThis Picture is made during a long weekend in the South of Belgium in June 2019.$

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) flowering in a meadow with one flower

A macro shot of a beautiful rare hybrid orchid, outdoors

Christmas Orchid (Calanthe Hybrid) in London, England

An orchid in flower in a British meadow, in the family Orchidaceae

A clump of Persicaria affinis 'Darjeeling Red', aka Bistorta affinis 'Darjeeling Red'. Bistort or Knotweed, a herbacious perennial in the Polygonaceae family.

Ophrys tenthredinifera, Sawfly Orchid, Gargano in Italy. Flowering European terrestrial wild orchid, nature habitat. Beautiful detail of bloom, spring scene from Europe. Wild flower on the green meadow.

A bee hovers near a lupine while collecting nectar.

Flower of the burnt orchid, Neotinea ustulata

A collection wildflowers Ophrys scolopax, known as the woodcock bee-orchid or woodcock orchid in Bulgaria

A closeup view of a Sawfly orchid, Ophrys tenthredinifera wild orchid, wildflower, Andalusia, Spain

Bee orchid in Alpine prairie a sunny day.

DSLR full frame outdoor overcast daylight image of purple wild garlic in Germany

The Carmel bee orchid is a terrestrial species of orchid native to Cyprus, where it flowers in early spring.

Hover fly on a cornflower in a meadow in Stukeley Meadows Nature Reserve, Huntingdon

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) in natural habitat

Meadow of bee orchid wild flowers, ophrys apifera,

Close up photo of an Bear's Breeches (Acanthus Mollis) flower.

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