Ophrys apifera

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Common name

Bee orchid

Scientific name

Ophrys apifera L.

Conservation status and threats

PROTECTED species in Bulgaria. Rated as "endangered" in Red Data Book of Bulgaria^[1].

Description and identification

Perennial plant with 2 ovoid tubers. Stems 15–35 cm, with 2–4 rosette and 2–5 green cauline leaves. Inflorescences with 3–10(15) flowers, lax. Sepals pink, patent, 11–17 × 5–9 mm, petals linear, 3–7 mm long, hairy. Labellum bee shaped, elongate, trilobed, middle lobe convex, velvet-hairy, chestnut-brown, with yellow spot. Column with 2–4 mm long tip, curved like beak. Fl. VI (V), fr. VII (VI). Self-pollinated. Reproduction by seeds^[2].

Distribution in Bulgaria

Dispersed localities in Black Sea coast, NE Bulgaria, Forebalkan (western), Balkan Range (western, eastern), Sofia region, Znepole region, Sredna Gora Mt (Western), Rhodopi Mts (Eastern), Thracian Lowland, Strandzha Mts; up to 1100 m alt^[3].

References

[1] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. In: Peev, D. et all. (ed.) 2015. Red Data Book of Bulgaria. Vol. 1. BAS & MOEW.

[2] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. 2015. In: Peev, D. et all. (ed.) 2015. Red Data Book of Bulgaria. Vol. 1. BAS & MOEW.

[3] Antoaneta Petrova. 2015. 2015. In: Peev, D. et all. (ed.) 2015. Red Data Book of Bulgaria. Vol. 1. BAS & MOEW.

Ophrys apifera на български

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