GeoGraph - photograph every grid square

Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)

Among the Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) in ST6626 : A303 lay-by with a difference was this Bee Orchid. The Bee Orchid is another ready coloniser of poor ground, although tends not to be so persistent, being more readily swamped by other plants. This particular site has one or two flowering examples in most years, compared with the Pyramidal Orchids here which can be counted in the hundreds. However, Bee Orchid colonies are noted for their variability in flowering, with a number of non-flowering plants either because they are not yet mature or because they are "resting" between flowering years, so no doubt the colony here is larger than first impressions might suggest.

Flowers open successively from bottom up as the spike grows - the lower ones here are already going to seed. For close-up of the main open flower, see ST6626 : Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera).