OPHRYS BOMBYLIFLORA Link – Bumblebee Orchid

Syn.: Ophrys tabanifera Willd., Ophrys distoma Biv., Ophrys hiulca Mauri, Ophrys canaliculata Viv., Ophrys labrofossa Brot.
Family: Orchidaceae Juss.

Distribution: Mediterranean – from Spain to Turkish Anatolia, also the Canary Islands (Tenerife and Gran Canaria), the local population from Gran Canaria is sometimes referred to as Ophrys canariensis Bramwell.
Habitat: It grows on rocky slopes and pastures, in shrubs (garrigue) and in woodland margins, up to 900 metres above sea level.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect stem, 10–30 cm high. The stem 2–4-flowered, the flowers are small, petals green-yellow, lip 8–10 × 11–13 mm, brown with silver sign. Flowers from March to April (May). The fruit is a capsule.
Threat and Protection: Ophrys bombyliflora is a protected plant by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).


These images were taken in Italy, Gargano, in the vicinity of village Mattinata (date 19. 4. 2008).