Ophrys apifera Huds.

Spice Flower detail Flower Flower 2 In the field In the field 2

Family: ORCHIDACEAE

Genus: Ophrys

Catalan common name: Abella apífera. Beiera. Flor d'abella. Flor de la Mare de Déu. Mosques d'ase. Sabatetes de la Mare de Déu.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Some regions

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Geophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Wild olive trees and other sclerophyllous shrublands. Juniperus phoenicea subsp. turbinata forest. Garriques and forests, humid soils.

Characteristics: This is the largest species of the genus Ophrys that there is in the islands, and can reach up to a meter in height. Flowers have pink sepals, with a rounded labellum containing a diagram of concentric lines. Prefers slightly wet soils. Flowers from April to May.