Ophrys apifera, known in Europe as the bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the genus Ophrys, in the family of Orchidaceae. It serves as an example of sexually deceptive pollination and floral mimicry, a highly selective and highly evolved plant–pollinator relationship, and an example of fungal symbiosis,
Ophrys apifera
Illustration of leaf and flower morphology for Ophrys apifera (left) and Ophrys fuciflora (right)
Flower of Ophrys apifera. Sepals, petals, labellum, column, and pollinia are all visible.
Ophrys apifera var. aurita
The genus Ophrys is a large group of orchids from the alliance Orchis in the subtribe Orchidinae. They are widespread across much of Europe, North Africa, Caucasus, the Canary Islands, and the Middle East as far east as Turkmenistan.
Ophrys
Ophrys apifera (bee orchid)
Ophrys bombyliflora (bumblebee orchid)
Ophrys fusca (sombre bee-orchid)