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| bee orchid pale-02 | bee orchid-11 | |
Bee Orchid
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| bee orchid pale-02 | bee orchid-11 | |
The pictures above were taken in June 2009 beside the Lewes to Denton road in Sussex, where the colony of bee orchids continues to thrive, along with many fragrant and pyramidal orchids. There were several spikes bearing the pale form of the flower, seen on the left.
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| Bee Orchid-02 |
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| Bee Orchid-01 |
The most common of our insect impersonating orchids, the exotic looking bee orchid is widespread in England north to Cumbria and south Northumberland, and on the coasts of Wales. Less common in the southwest. It grows on a wide range of calcareous soils.
Fly Orchid hybridises with Bee Orchid very rarely, but a good stand of these hybrids can be found on the north side of the A303 near Wincanton, and the pictures can be seen here.