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OPHRYS
The
Ophrys or mimic orchids are the best known and most intriguing
orchids.
Their
flowers have evolved to mimic insects such that they may
copulate with them! This transfers the pollen by the use
of clever hanging pollinia that stick to the amorous
insect. This, in evolutionary terms is astounding and one
has to wonder just how evolution has the time to operate in this
way (like lots of other things I marvel at in nature!).
However, I personally have never seen this "pseudocopulation"
in action and perhaps wonder if their resemblances are
coincidental - they attract all manner of other insects by odour,
particularly flies.
Fly
Orchid 04
Fly
Orchid 10 crop
Fly
orchid Ophrys insectifera
Swift
Hill, Gloucestershire, June 2007.
Like
tiny little aliens on what is usually a very thin and difficult
to spot plant.
Early
Spider Orchid 09
Early
spider orchid Ophrys sphegodes
Durleston
Head, Dorset,, May 2007.
Hairy
little aliens with braces?
Bee
Orchid 01 crop
Bee
Orchid 36 crop
Bee
orchid Ophrys apifera
Gloucestershire,
2007.
Don't
look like bees to me; more like happy laughing little clowns
with pink angelic wings.
This
orchid is susceptible to mutation and the picture on the left is
one of the many varieties (var. belgarum?).
Both
photos taken in Gloucestershire.
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to the Orchid Guide
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