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Bee Orchid

Ophrys apifera

Photo by Felix Fleck
Published on Project Noah
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37.1842, -8.896

Field Notes

Description:

Flowers are about 2.5cm in diameter and stalks about 15cm tall. This orchid, although self-pollinating, also attracts male bees by mimicking the females of the Tetralonia and Eucera genus in appearance and scent. The male bees will try to copulate with the flowers and pollinate in the process.

Habitat:

Among coastal scrub on limestone cliffs.

Reference Links:

Ophrys apifera - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
AntónioGinjaGinja
Beautiful capture Felix,congrats and thanks for sharing. It would be great if you add these portuguese spottings to these two missions,one about portuguese biodiversity: https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8000668 and other specific about orchids in portugal: https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8501411 Thanks on advance :-)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Portugal's Biodiversity
Mission
Orchids of Portugal

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Photographed
PublishedJanuary 12, 2019

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