On this day: Rare pair of bee orchids discovered growing in countryside
The bee orchid, known for its resemblance to a female bee, uses this disguise to attract male bees for pollination.
However, in the absence of their preferred bee species in the UK, the flowers have adapted to self-pollinate.
Mr Baggott expressed his excitement upon discovering the orchids.
He said: "As soon as we saw them we knew what they were.
"They're such beautiful, distinctive flowers, and it felt really special to see some in the wild."
He added that it was remarkable to find them growing spontaneously, even though the site is not one of the designated meadow areas.
The bee orchids at the Stoney Road site in Grundisburgh (Image: Flagship Group) Mr Baggott said: "We'll take extra care around here during the flowering period to make sure they're not disturbed."
While bee orchids are not classified as endangered, they are under protection due to declining numbers, making their appearance a rare event.
This discovery coincided with Flagship Group's initiative to establish 150 new wildflower meadows across its 1,000-plus green spaces annually until 2030.
Interestingly, the Stoney Road site was not yet included in this programme.
Daniel Salliss, biodiversity and land manager at Flagship, added: "We are thrilled by this discovery, and it highlights the richness of our local biodiversity and the critical role our team plays in preserving it."
[From the East Anglian Daily Times of July 27, 2024]
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