FLY ORCHID
OPHRYS INSECTIFERA
Fig 1
DESCRIPTION: Height up to 60cm.  From the three or four floppy basal leaves arises a spindly stem that bears few leaves.  The flowers are well spaced and are usually up to 10 in number.  They are chocolate brown with a greyish-blue central patch.  The lower lip is split so as to give the appearance of two legs.  Two arm-like projections are located 2 thirds of the way up the flower with 2 upper petals seemingly antennae-like.  The 3 sepals are lanceolate and green.  DISTRIBUTION: Southern England from Kent to Dorset more localised northwards to Cumbria. HABITAT: Woodland, fens, grassy areas and scrub on lime. FLOWERING TIME: May to June.

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