Ophrys insectifera

Ophrys insectifera
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Monocots
Order:Asparagales
Family:Orchidaceae
Subfamily:Orchidoideae
Genus:Ophrys
Species: O. insectifera
Binomial name
Ophrys insectifera
Synonyms[1]
  • Epipactis myodes (Jacq.) F.W.Schmidt
  • Malaxis myodes (Jacq.) Bernh.
  • Ophrys insectifera var. myodes L.
  • Ophrys myodes (L.) Jacq. (nom. illeg.)
  • Orchis insectifera (L.) Crantz
  • Orchis myodes (Jacq.) Bernh.
Habit of an individual of Ophrys insectifera at the Altendorfer Berg in Niedersachsen, Germay

Ophrys insectifera, the fly orchid, is a species of orchid and the type species of the genus Ophrys. It is native to Europe[1] (Codes)[2] and favors sites with alkaline soil. The name arises because its inflorescence resembles a fly, although it is dependent on wasps and bees for pollination. The plants use scent to attract male wasps and bees which pollinate the flowers as they attempt to mate with the flower. The scent released by the flowers mimic female sexual pheromones.[3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families".
  2. ↑ "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families TDWG Geocodes" (PDF).
  3. ↑ Borg-Karlson, Anna-Karin; Inga Groth; Lennart Ågren; Bertil Kullenberg (1993). "Form-specific fragances from Ophrys insectifera L.". Chemoecology. Birkhäuser Basel. 4 (1): 39–45. doi:10.1007/BF01245895.


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