Ophrys insectifera
Tracheophyta
›Magnoliopsida›Orchidaceae›Ophrys›Ophrys insectifera
Ecology
A shade-tolerant tuberous herb usually found on chalk and limestone soils in open deciduous woodland and scrub, but also recorded from grassland, chalk-pits, limestone pavement, disused railways, spoil heaps and, rarely, unstable coastal cliffs. In Ireland and Anglesey it is found only in open calcareous flushes and fens. 0-390 m (Helbeck Wood, Westmorland).
Status
Native
Trends
This species declined dramatically before 1930, especially in East Anglia. Since then the losses have continued, but at a reduced rate. Most losses are due to scrub encroachment, the closing of woodland canopies, woodland clearance and drainage of fens.
World Distribution
European Temperate element.
© K.J. Walker, BSBI
Burren
© K.J. Walker, BSBI
Broad Habitats
Light (Ellenberg): 8
Moisture (Ellenberg): 5
Reaction (Ellenberg): 9
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 2
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 3.7
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 15.8
Annual Precipitation (mm): 803
Height (cm): 60
Perennation - primary
Perennial
Life Form - primary
Non-bulbous geophyte (rhizome, corm or tuber)
Woodiness
Herbaceous
Clonality - primary
Little or no vegetative spread
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 264
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 31
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 0
Atlas Change Index: -1.34
JNCC Designations
NBNSYS0000002318