Ophrys lutea
Broad 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.
Grows in full sun or shade on limey dry or damp soils, pastures, and thin woodland. Widely distributed in the Mediterranean area and in Atlantic regions of southern Europe
#3 is the normal color
Lat: 38.65, Long: 0.07
Spotted on Apr 1, 2012
Submitted on Apr 1, 2012
2 Comments
Yeah, I know! just a little different!
found a large population of these mutants, maybe if they remain isolated long enough, they become a different species!
:)
Great find, that's almost too easy to not notice the difference!