اقتباس:The members of the genus Ophrys are the "bee" orchids. They have no nectar and so have cunningly developed their flowers to resemble insects such as bees, flies or spiders feeding on a flower. When the attracted insect is on the flower, the pollen rubs across their back, to be carried away when they leave.  

The patterns are variable and there are numerous subspecies and sub-subspecies; the one we photographed, for example, doesn't match exactly Ophrys apifera, or any of the scores of other similar ones in our reference books. It could likely be the Ophrys scolopax ssp. apiformis.  

The Ophrys orchids have no medicinal use, and none are toxic.  

Flowers  
Apr-May. 2-9 flowers; the sepals are usually pale pink, but sometimes white, and each has a green central stripe.  

Leaves  
Oval or lance-shaped basal leaves, with narrower leaves clasping the stem.  

Habitat  
Garrigue, maquis, woodland and scrub areas.  




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eyed Bee Orchid - Ophrys argolica  
Mar-Apr; 15-35 cm, with 2-8 flowers; sepals pink, purple or sometimes white, narrow, with a green