#bee orchids

Bee Orchid - Ophrys apifera - a freaky European terrestrial

A rare native wildflower has been discovered on a Co Antrim roadside verge that is being protected from cutting as part of environmental initiative.

The bee orchid has not been seen in the area for years but is now making a comeback thanks to Causeway Coast and Glens Council's 'Don't Mow Let It Grow' campaign.

Instead of manicured verges that are home to nothing more than vigorous grass, dockens and the occasional dandelion, the council-backed initiative encourages insect-friendly, native flora like orchids, bird's-foot-trefoil, vetches and clover.

And this week council staff and volunteers are celebrating the discovery of Ophrys apifera – the bee orchid – a rare wildflower, protected under the 1985 Wildlife (NI) Order.

The rare plant was discovered by Don't Mow Let It Grow volunteer Donna Rainey, who last year featured in The Irish News.

"It's hard to explain the joy when you see something so totally unexpected and so exquisitely gorgeous," Donna said last night.

"The only other places I have seen them are the Burren in Co Clare and in sand dunes."  ...

Today I rescued some bee orchids (Ophrys apifera) from being mowed. I spotted these beautiful and distinctive little flowers outside work yesterday. With the brown centre that is shaped to look like a bee, they’re one of nature’s great mimics. Sadly, they’re declining in numbers. Each single flower takes the plant up to 8 years to produce. If it is cut too soon, its only chance of producing…

'Orchid-Mimicry' Flower: Ophrys ariadnae [Bee-Orchid] Mimicking a Circus Clown with a Pot-belly