Bee Orchids with tiny yellow flower. (1 Viewer)

N

Nig3l

Member

• Jul 2, 2012

• #1

Whilst looking for butterflies and orchids in County Durham on Saturday, I came across a Bee Orchid with a small yellow attachment. I have not come across this before and wondered if anyone has any details.

Two images attached.

thank you

 

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chris butterworth

aka The Person Named Above

• Jul 2, 2012

• #2

It's one of the pollina, the structure that holds the pollen together. Usually they are 'glued' to the head of a visiting bee before being transfered to the next flower but this seems to have dropped off.

Chris

 

N

Nig3l

Member

• Jul 2, 2012

• #3

Thank Chris

 

G

Ghostly Vision

Well-known member

• Jul 2, 2012

• #4

..in fact, Bee orchid is usually self pollinated. Your picture shows both pollinia still intact inside the anther cap (arrowed).

As such, the detached pollinia is either from another Bee orchid nearby or maybe even a different species.

Sean

 

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Last edited: Jul 2, 2012