<Li> Ophrys insectifera var . andrachnites </Li> <P> Ophrys apifera, known in Europe as the bee orchid, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Orchidaceae . </P> <P> Ophrys apifera grows to a height of 15--50 centimetres (6--20 in). This hardy orchid develops small rosettes of leaves in autumn . They continue to grow slowly during winter . Basal leaves are ovate or oblong - lanceolate, upper leaves and bracts are ovate - lanceolate and sheathing . The plant blooms from mid-April to July producing a spike composed from one to twelve flowers . The flowers have large sepals, with a central green rib and their colour varies from white to pink, while petals are short, pubescent, yellow to greenish . The labellum is trilobed, with two pronounced humps on the hairy lateral lobes, the median lobe is hairy and similar to the abdomen of a bee . It is quite variable in the pattern of coloration, but usually brownish - red with yellow markings . The gynostegium is at right angles, with an elongated apex . </P> <P> Floral parts display the presence of quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, which are supposed to be acylated, as well as cinnamic acid derivatives . The pink outer tepals show the presence of anthocyanins . </P>

A flower that looks like a female bee