Ophrys lutea


Ophrys lutea, the yellow bee-orchid, is a species of orchid native to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, the range extending from Portugal and Morocco to Syria.

Description of the flower

Broad asymmetric lateral sepals, dorsal sepal lowered.
Extended petals, yellow or with a blue-grey or brown spotted velvety macula. Pollinated by male Andrena bees. This species is notable among Ophrys for the fact that the pollinating bees sit on the labellum facing away from the pollinaria instead of facing towards them, and thus collect the pollinaria with their abdomen.

Subspecies

Numerous subspecific names have been proposed, but the following are currently accepted:
  • Ophrys lutea subsp. aspea Faurh. - Northern Tunisia to Northern Libya
  • Ophrys lutea subsp. galilaea Soó - Mediterranean
  • Ophrys lutea subsp. laurensis Kreutz - Sicily
  • Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea Cav. - Western and Central Mediterranean to Crete
  • Ophrys lutea subsp. phryganae Melki - Central and Eastern Mediterranean

    Flowering period

March to May

Habitat

The orchid grows in full sun or shade on limey dry or damp soils, pastures, and thin woodland.
''from the French Wikipedia; technical translation of some words still needing checking''