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Ophrys Collection (#2)

Ophrys, commonly known as the bee orchid, is a fascinating genus of plants that captivates both botanists and nature enthusiasts alike

Background imageOphrys Collection: Bee orchid, Ophrys apifera

Bee orchid, Ophrys apifera.. Handcoloured copperplate stipple engraving from Jussieus Dictionary of Natural Science, Florence, Italy, 1837

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11676443

Picture No. 11676443
Early Spider Orchid flowering stalk Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11676066

Picture No. 11676066
Fly Orchid on white background Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), Isar river flood plains, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), Isar river flood plains, Upper Bavaria, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Background imageOphrys Collection: Hybrid of a Spider Orchid and a Bumblebee Orchid -Ophrys sphegodes x Ophrys holoserica-, flower

Hybrid of a Spider Orchid and a Bumblebee Orchid -Ophrys sphegodes x Ophrys holoserica-, flower, Koppelstein Nature Reserve, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, Europe

Background imageOphrys Collection: Fly Orchid -Ophrys insectifera-

Fly Orchid -Ophrys insectifera-

Background imageOphrys Collection: Early Spider Orchid -Ophrys sphegodes-, flowers, Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland, Austria, Europe

Early Spider Orchid -Ophrys sphegodes-, flowers, Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland, Austria, Europe

Background imageOphrys Collection: Early spider orchid -Ophrys sphegodes-, blossoms, Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland, Austria, Europe

Early spider orchid -Ophrys sphegodes-, blossoms, Lake Neusiedl, Burgenland, Austria, Europe

Background imageOphrys Collection: Mirror Orchid -Ophrys speculum-, Andalusia, Spain

Mirror Orchid -Ophrys speculum-, Andalusia, Spain

Background imageOphrys Collection: Yellow Ophrys -Ophrys amarilla-, Andalusia, Spain

Yellow Ophrys -Ophrys amarilla-, Andalusia, Spain

Background imageOphrys Collection: Woodcock Bee-orchid -Ophrys scolopax ssp. cornuta-, single flower, Macedonia, Greece

Woodcock Bee-orchid -Ophrys scolopax ssp. cornuta-, single flower, Macedonia, Greece

Background imageOphrys Collection: Late Spider-orchid -Ophrys holoserica-, white tepals, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Late Spider-orchid -Ophrys holoserica-, white tepals, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Background imageOphrys Collection: Bee Orchid -Ophrys apivera-, single flower, Neresheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Bee Orchid -Ophrys apivera-, single flower, Neresheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11074021

Picture No. 11074021
Late Spider Orchid in flower (very rare in UK)

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11074019

Picture No. 11074019
Aveyron Bee Orchid endemic to the Cernon Valley, France

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11074016

Picture No. 11074016
Aveyron Bee Orchid endemic to the Cernon Valley, France

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 11073875

Picture No. 11073875
Orchid in flower Sardinia, Italy

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10899527

Picture No. 10899527
King Ferdinand's Orchid / Earwig Orchid (Ophrys regis-ferdinandii) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10886791

Picture No. 10886791
An Endemic Orchid - in flower (Ophrys biscutella) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10885013

Picture No. 10885013
Bertoloni's Bee Orchid (Ophrys bertolonii) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10885015

Picture No. 10885015
Brown bee orchid - close-up - paticular of anther (Ophrys fusca) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10884992

Picture No. 10884992
Bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10884990

Picture No. 10884990
Bertoloni's Bee Orchid (Ophrys bertolonii) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10884970

Picture No. 10884970
Bumble Bee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10893038

Picture No. 10893038
Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10893037

Picture No. 10893037
Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10893023

Picture No. 10893023
Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10893022

Picture No. 10893022
Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10899642

Picture No. 10899642
Drome orchid - flower spike (Ophrys drumana) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Picture No. 10899639

Picture No. 10899639
Late spider Orchid - Close up of flower (Ophrys fuciflora) Date:

Background imageOphrys Collection: Bee Orchid flowering head

Bee Orchid flowering head

Background imageOphrys Collection: Ophrys purpurea, orchid

Ophrys purpurea, orchid
Illustration by Arthur Harry Church, 1906. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Background imageOphrys Collection: Plants / Ophrys Muscifera

Plants / Ophrys Muscifera
related to the BEE ORCHID (ophrys apifera) but this one attracts flies Date: late 19th century

Background imageOphrys Collection: Bumblebee (Bombus sp. ) adult male, attempting to mate with Bee Orchid (Ophrys sp. ) flower

Bumblebee (Bombus sp. ) adult male, attempting to mate with Bee Orchid (Ophrys sp. ) flower
Bumblebee (Bombus sp.) adult male, attempting to mate with Bee Orchid (Ophrys sp.) flower, mistaking it for female of species, Italy, may




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Ophrys, commonly known as the bee orchid, is a fascinating genus of plants that captivates both botanists and nature enthusiasts alike. One notable species within this group is Ophrys apifera, also referred to as the bee orchid. Picture No. 11980502 showcases its delicate beauty and intricate design. Another member of the Ophrys family is Bertolonis bee orchid, scientifically named Ophrys bertolonii. This stunning variety can be admired in all its glory on page 22 of a Victorian botanical illustration book titled "Ladyas Slipper. " Woodcock bee-orchid, or Ophrys scolopax subsp. Cornuta, displays an enchanting blend of colors and shapes that make it stand out among other wildflowers. Its presence in grasslands and verges adds a touch of elegance to these natural landscapes. A remarkable variation of the bee orchid is found near Cheltenham on Cleeve Hill - the wasp orchid (Ophrys apifera var. Trollii). Its unique appearance mimics that of a wasp with astonishing accuracy. In Dorset, UK during June, one can witness the mesmerizing sight of blooming bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) dotting the countryside. Their vibrant petals create a striking contrast against their green surroundings. Venturing into Chappetts Copse in Hampshire, England reveals another captivating member of this genus - the fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera). Its intricate shape resembles that of an insect resting delicately on a stem. The woodcock orchid (Ophrys cornuta / scolopax) not only boasts breathtaking blooms but also serves as an attraction for mating black veined white butterflies. This symbiotic relationship between flower and butterfly creates an awe-inspiring spectacle in nature's theater.