Expanding the Known Range: Ophrys forestieri in La Selva

This Sunday, April 26th, our field research took us through the Garrotxa and La Selva regions. A significant observation during our exploration was an individual of the Sombre Bee Orchid, Ophrys forestieri. Although the specimen was already past its peak flowering, a natural progression for this species whose bloom typically runs from December to March, its presence was still highly notable.

This particular finding in the La Selva area represents a new recorded observation for me, extending our understanding of its local distribution beyond the previously cited areas in Catalonia such as Bages, Empordà, and Tarragona. Even in its faded state, the characteristic basal rosette of oblong-lanceolate leaves was discernible, and the general form of its dark brown, three-lobed labellum, though withered, hinted at the species' distinctive features, including the marked central macula. This terrestrial orchid typically favors calcareous or marly soils in sunny or semi-shaded locations, such as those found in the Mediterranean scrubland and forest clearings we surveyed. Documenting this post-bloom specimen provides valuable data on its occurrence in this part of the region.