Ophrys scolopax - Woodcock Orchid - (Orchidaceae)

Ophrys scolopax - Woodcock Orchid

This lovely orchid can grow up to 50 cm in height and is widespread in the West and Central Mediterranean region.

At first sight it can be confused with the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) but the flowers are generally smaller and there can be many more per flower spike than with Bee Orchids. The markings on the lip of the flower also differ from the Bee Orchid and are normally form a more intricate pattern.

The specimen above was photographed in Portugal on the Algarve in mid March.

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Watermarked preview (new window) of Photolibrary image OR158f_ophrys_scolopax.jpg (Large file)...