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Project Noah Nature School
Ophrys speculum
Small Orchid, with the flower being about 16mm long and the stalk about 7cm high. This species is pollinated exclusively by the wasp Dasyscolia ciliata. The flower's appearance resembles the female wasp, with its hairs and shiny patch which reflects light, just like the wings of a wasp would.In addition, this orchid mimics the pheromones emitted by females wasps, causing males to try to copulate with it, pollinating in the process.
Among grasses in meadow-like habitat.
Spotted on Mar 8, 2007
Submitted on Jan 12, 2019
2 Comments
Indeed! Thanks, Zlatan.
Beauty, real beauty!