
Ploughshare orchid (Serapias vomeracea) a widespread S. European species. The specific name Vomeracea is the latin for a ploughsare (blade) which recalls the shape of the lip. Most Seraias species are bo pollinated and can, towards evening be found with bee inside the 'tube' made my three sepals and two petals other than the lip. The plants are thought to produce a susbstance that is soporific for bees...and whent hey leave they do so carrying off the pollinia (pollen bundles). Mte Amiata, Toscana, Italy June 2021