Bee Orchid Taken at Torness on 7th June 2019 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode. Bee Orchid. Species: Order: Family: Habit: Ophrys apifera. Asparagales. Orchidaceae. Perennial Herbaceous Habitat: Height: Flowers: Feature: Semi-dry turf, in grassland, on limestone, calcareous dunes or in open areas in woodland. 15 - 50 cms. June - July. It is remarkable as an example of sexually-deceptive pollination and floral mimicry as well as of a highly-selective and highly evolved plant-pollinator relationship. Ophrys apifera is the only species of the genus Ophrys which preferentially practices self-pollination. The flowers are almost exclusively self-pollinating in the northern ranges of the plant's distribution, but pollination by the solitary bee Eucera Longicornis  occurs in the Mediterranean area. In this case the plant attracts these insects by producing a scent that mimics the scent of the female bee. In addition, the lip acts as a decoy as the male bee confuses it with a female. Pollen transfer occurs during the ensuing pseudocopulation.