from where did you originate?
springing from disturbed ground
with your intoxicant scent
giving every sign of willing
how many years passed
before your false flower blooms?
~
n.b. The bee orchid is a beautiful creation. It takes up to five, or even eight years to form flowers having initially grown from a tuber.
The flower’s appearance and scent is similar to a female bee. It attracts males ready to mate, before the females are out and about. Male bees try to mate with the female bee-shaped flowers, thereby taking the pollen from flower to flower.
It is thought the bee orchid in England now reproduces asexually, so the whole deceit is no longer required for the species to survive. However, it is a plant in decline.
Bee orchids are instantly recognisable. It was a delight to find several by a roadside on the perimeter of Norwich.
The plants are often found near disturbed ground, such as building sites.
CLP 10/06/2023
Journey of Words 
2 responses
I didn’t know anything about Bee orchids before today but have already passed on the knowledge when I saw one at Wiveton open gardens. It is great to learn new things.
Hi, Sorry I was so slow to pick this comment up. I have been so busy with writing elsewhere, that I have not checked my stats or comments recently. It is great that you could share the knowledge. Bee orchids seem to be doing very well in Norfolk then! Thank you, as ever, for reading and commenting.