Irish wildflowers sitemap


Photo: Patrick Slavin, the Burren.

Fly Orchid
Ophyrs insectifera
Magairlín na gcuileanna
Family: Orchidaceae

Flowering time: May-June. Perennial. Native.

Narrow spikes of deep violet-brown flowers with green sepals.
Bi-lobed narrow lip resembling a fly, with a violet-blue patch.
Lip occasionally greenish / whitish. Pollinated by male Gorytes wasps.
Narrow linear-lanceolate shiny-green leaves. Slender plant. Height: 20-60cm.

In Ireland found only in open calcareous fens and flushes, West and central Ireland.






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