The Deceptive Bee Orchid

Name (Scientific): Ophrys

Appearance: The Bee Orchid received its name from the fact that it looks like there is a female bee on each flower. Each petal also smells of a female Bee which attracts male Bees to the flower to make sure it gets pollinated.

Distribution and Habitat:

The flower can be found in Oak and Beech Wood Forests, as well as Mediterranean forests, Brown field land, wildflower meadows, Broad leaf forests, Temperate grasslands and in urban spaces. It is found in places like Africa, Asia , Europe, The Mediterranean and the United Kingdom.

Intersting Facts:

-Uses Mimicry

-Uses Chemical Communication

-Uses Visual Communication

References: Arkive BBC

Photographer: Johan de Meester