Images Dated 5th December 2010

Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera

Bee Orchid, Ophrys apifera - close up of flowerhead showing hanging pollinia, Monkton Chalkpit Nature Reserve, Kent
flower shape and colour thought to mimic shape and colour of the solitary bee to attract this pollinator but mostly
self pollinating in UK, perennial, favours dry grassland, usually on chalky soils, Pollenia held above flower with packets of pollen, drop down to pollinate stigma of own flower

Meadow Clary, Salvia pratensis

Meadow Clary (Salvia pratensis) - Queendown Warren, Kent Wildlife Trust, Rare Family Labiatae, downland, distributed in Southern England, perennial, bilabiate, sage, classified as Near Threatened and protected by Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, violet blue, wild flower
Tubular flower, spike stamen and stigma style specialised pollination, insect sqeezes into tube and the anthers drop down on back leaving packet of pollen

Echinacea, Echinacea augustifolia

Echinacea, Echinacea augustifolia close-up of flower head medicinal herb, petals, useful for late colour in the flower border drought-tolerant perennial plants growing to 1 or 2 m in height, found growing on the prairies where it was used by the native north americans, boosts immune system and helps to fight colds. Colourful, pink flowers in a field