O.apifera was
first described by Hudson from England as far back as 1762. Its name
refers to the flowers resemblance to a bee and accordingly the species
has long
been commonly (and affectionately) known
as the Bee Orchid.
It's a widespread orchid with a distribution across temperate and Mediterranean Europe as far east as the Caucasus. In its favoured locations it can be abundant and its choice of habitat is wide, ranging from the driest chalk grassland and garrigue to wet even swampy conditions. It predominently favours full sun positions but will tolerate (though not relish) even significant shade.
O.apifera is largely self-pollinating and this autogamy seems responsible for the frequent appearance of variant plants, some of which, although not of evolutionary significance occur on a sufficiently regular basis to have aquired formal varietal status.
O.apifera v trollii is one of the commoner variants and occurs throughout the range of the type species though it appears to be particularly frequent in the more western parts of the range. Its appearance is distinctive with an elongated lip forming a point at the tip. The overall colouration and pattern also differs from type in being a mottled yellow brown in irregular patterns of blotches and streaks. These features have led to the variety being commonly known as the Wasp Orchid.
The pictures here are from the Purbeck hills of Dorset and Warwickshire, UK and date from late June.
It's a widespread orchid with a distribution across temperate and Mediterranean Europe as far east as the Caucasus. In its favoured locations it can be abundant and its choice of habitat is wide, ranging from the driest chalk grassland and garrigue to wet even swampy conditions. It predominently favours full sun positions but will tolerate (though not relish) even significant shade.
O.apifera is largely self-pollinating and this autogamy seems responsible for the frequent appearance of variant plants, some of which, although not of evolutionary significance occur on a sufficiently regular basis to have aquired formal varietal status.
O.apifera v trollii is one of the commoner variants and occurs throughout the range of the type species though it appears to be particularly frequent in the more western parts of the range. Its appearance is distinctive with an elongated lip forming a point at the tip. The overall colouration and pattern also differs from type in being a mottled yellow brown in irregular patterns of blotches and streaks. These features have led to the variety being commonly known as the Wasp Orchid.
The pictures here are from the Purbeck hills of Dorset and Warwickshire, UK and date from late June.
