Bee orchid.
Bee orchid - Ophrys apifera
The bee orchid is a rare flower that cleverly disguises itself as a bee during its blooming period from May to July. Smart move – this trick attracts real bees that attempt to mate with the flower, unknowingly helping with pollination in the process.
In 2023, this rare orchid was spotted for the first time on the Schoonmeersen campus by Aaron De Decker, who focused his bachelor thesis in green management on biodiversity. Since then, the bee orchid has been seen more often in the grassy area between buildings C and D.
Why does the bee orchid grow on the Schoonmeersen campus?
This rare species is quite picky: it needs calcareous, low-nitrogen soil that’s not too dry or too wet, plus the right soil fungi. The grass around it can’t be too dense, and after its blooming period from May to July, the plant needs time to spread its seeds. All of this is taken into account in our mowing practices, so we can keep enjoying the beauty of the bee orchid year after year.