orchid question (:

[leifus]

is there a common name for a hybrid between bee and fly orchids?

[KeenTeen17]

I don't think so. there is a variant of bee orchid called wasp orchid. but Ive never heard of a common name for the hybrid. I think would just be bee x fly orchid.

You better not have seen one!

[leifus]

Originally Posted by KeenTeen17

I don't think so. there is a variant of bee orchid called wasp orchid. but Ive never heard of a common name for the hybrid. I think would just be bee x fly orchid.

You better not have seen one!

thanks! I will have to become famous by naming it the hoverfly orchid

And no I haven't seen one but it grows at a place I am going to next year so I will see it then hopefully

[davidbr]

Originally Posted by leifus

is there a common name for a hybrid between bee and fly orchids?

No, there isn't - and there isn't actually even an accepted binomial scientific name; it's just listed on the BSBI database as Ophrys insectifera x apifera. Very strange, since all the other hybrids in the same genus have at least a valid scientific name

I've never seen one either (then my current list of orchids is pretty woeful ); on the 2007 map they only give 2 current sites (from my less-than-great judgement of non-labelled maps it looks like South Somerset and East Sussex) so it seems to be a definite rarity

[leifus]

im officially naming it a Hoverfly orchid

[davidbr]

In the unlikely event I did ever come across one, that'd make the list look a lot tidier

Not totally sure what the convention is on scientific names for situations like this, if indeed there is one

I know it's usually the discoverer who gets to name it, but obviously the first person who found one of these hybrids didn't bother so, is there anything to stop you taking over and calling it Ophrys x johnsmithii or somesuch after yourself/your mum/your dog etc

[sunnydale]

I love wild Orchids, although haven't seen that many different ones in the Peaks and don't really study them as such.
Bee orchids are my favourite! There's a place I visit every year, just 10 minutes away by car, to see them.
Can't wait to photograph them now and post the piccie's on here!

The Derbyshire Dales are alive with Early Purple Orchids in the Spring and later, the Heath Spotted.
Unless I saw something different and didn't realise, I think that's all we get around here.
I'd be interested to know if anything else is around!

[leifus]

Originally Posted by sunnydale

I love wild Orchids, although haven't seen that many different ones in the Peaks and don't really study them as such.
Bee orchids are my favourite! There's a place I visit every year, just 10 minutes away by car, to see them.
Can't wait to photograph them now and post the piccie's on here!

The Derbyshire Dales are alive with Early Purple Orchids in the Spring and later, the Heath Spotted.
Unless I saw something different and didn't realise, I think that's all we get around here.
I'd be interested to know if anything else is around!

im not sure about what else is around but Im sure there will be plenty for you!

Bee orchids are my favourite tooo

[poschiavanus]

Bee x Fly Orchid has been named. It was called O. x pietzschii by Kumpel. See this page on IPNI.

Unfortunately, the author apparently did not provide a type specimen, so the name is invalid, and up for grabs.

[leifus]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

name is invalid, and up for grabs.

not any more its hoverfly orchid