Who will save the bee orchid?
I CAME across more than
20 bee orchids coming into flower on a patch of grass next to a local road. Standing a few inches proud of the grass, they were impossible not to notice.
This wildflower used to be called the humble or bumble bee orchid because within the large pink sepals are petals shaped and coloured like a bee. The sepals look like wings and the furry, brown lips have yellow markings just like a bee. This orchid has even evolved to have the scent of a female bumble bee to attract passing male bees in the hope they will try to mate and aid pollination. The plant is rare in my area, so I reported the location to the relevant nature authorities. They were mown down the following day. I fear they may be lost from this site for ever.
TERRY BREVERTON, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan.