Ophrys lutea, the yellow bee-orchid, is a species of orchid native to southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, the range extending from Portugal and Morocco to Syria.[4][5]
| Ophrys lutea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Orchidaceae |
| Subfamily: | Orchidoideae |
| Genus: | Ophrys |
| Species: | O. lutea
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| Binomial name | |
| Ophrys lutea | |
| Synonyms[4] | |
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Description of the flower
editBroad asymmetric lateral sepals, dorsal sepal lowered.
Extended petals, yellow or with a blue-grey or brown spotted velvety macula. Pollinated by male Andrena bees. This species is notable among Ophrys for the fact that the pollinating bees sit on the labellum facing away from the pollinaria instead of facing towards them, and thus collect the pollinaria with their abdomen.
Subspecies
editNumerous subspecific names have been proposed, but as of Sep 2023[update] the following are currently accepted:[6]
- Ophrys lutea subsp. aspea (Devillers-Tersch. & Devillers) Faurh. - Northern Tunisia to Northern Libya
- Ophrys lutea subsp. galilaea (H.Fleischm. & Bornm.) Soó - Mediterranean
- Ophrys lutea subsp. laurensis (Geniez & Melki) Kreutz - Sicily
- Ophrys lutea subsp. lutea Cav. - Western and Central Mediterranean to Crete
- Ophrys lutea subsp. phryganae (Devillers-Tersch. & Devillers) Melki - Central and Eastern Mediterranean
Flowering period
editMarch to May
Habitat
editThe orchid grows in full sun or shade on limey dry or damp soils, pastures, and thin woodland.
from the French Wikipedia; technical translation of some words still needing checking
References
edit
- ^ Rankou, H. (2011). "Ophrys lutea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T175920A7143357. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "Ophrys lutea Cav". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ "Ophrys lutea Cav". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ^ Altervista Flora Italiana, Ofride gialla, Yellow Bee Orchid
- ^ "Ophrys lutea Cav. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2023-09-27.