Ophrys apifera
Ophrys apifera Huds.
Orchidaceae – Orchid family
Conservation status. Endangered [EN C2a(i); D]. BDA, CITES(2).
Morphology and biology. Perennial plant with 2 ovoid tubers. Stems 15–35 cm, with 2–4 rosette and 2–5 green cauline leaves. Inflorescences with 3–10(15) flowers, lax. Sepals pink, patent, 11–17 × 5–9 mm, petals linear, 3–7 mm long, hairy. Labellum bee shaped, elongate, trilobed, middle lobe convex, velvet-hairy, chestnut-brown, with yellow spot. Column with 2–4 mm long tip, curved like beak. Fl. VI (V), fr. VII (VI). Self-pollinated. Reproduction by seeds.
Habitats and populations. Extensively grazed pastures, meadows and among shrubs, more often on alkaline soils. After more than 100 years without data for its presence in the Bulgarian flora, since 1997 the species has been found in more than 15 localities in different floristic regions. Populations usually cover small areas (up to 0.2 ha) and number less than 25 plants; the biggest population reported numbers 46 flowering individuals.
Distribution in Bulgaria. Dispersed localities in Black Sea coast, NE Bulgaria, Forebalkan (western), Balkan Range (western, eastern), Sofia region, Znepole region, Sredna Gora Mt (Western), Rhodopi Mts (Eastern), Thracian Lowland, Strandzha Mts; up to 1100 m alt.
General distribution. The temperature and Mediterranean zones of Europe, locally found.
Threats. Local distribution and low population density. Possible negative factors are afforestation with pines and overgrazing during the flowering and fruiting season.
Conservation measures taken. Protected species by the Biodiversity Act. Some of the known localities are in protected areas (Vitanovo Strict Nature Reserve, Likana Protected Site) or in sites of the European ecological network Natura 2000 in Bulgaria.
Conservation measures needed. Continuing the studies on the distribution and population status; monitoring of the dynamics of selected populations; studies on the negative factors in selected localities.
References. Gerasimova et al. 1998; Petrova, Gerasimova & Venkova 2001; Bancheva et al. 2002; Nyagolov et al. 2002; Petrova et al. 2002; Radoslavova 2002; Grozeva et al. 2004; Grozeva 2006; Tashev et al. 2006; Vladimirov 2006; Apostolova-Stoyanova & Stoyanov 2007; Asenov 2010; Pedashenko 2010.
Author: Antoaneta Petrova
