Ophrys bertolonii
Ophrys bertolonii
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Pl. 5507 — Ophrys bertolonii
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IOverview
Overview
Ophrys bertolonii, known as the Bertoloni's bee orchid, is a perennial species that thrives in Greece, Italy, Sicilia, and Yugoslavia. This plant is both edible and ornamental, making it a valuable addition to gardens or foraged collections. Its distinctive feature lies in its ability to mimic female bees, which attracts male bees for pollination through deception. Preferring moist conditions with light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils, Ophrys bertolonii grows to a height of 0.4 meters and is best suited to soil pH levels between 5 and 5.5. The edible parts are the roots, which can be harvested for culinary use.
Quick answers
What is Ophrys bertolonii?
Ophrys bertolonii, known as the Bertoloni's bee orchid, is a perennial species that thrives in Greece, Italy, Sicilia, and Yugoslavia. This plant is both edible and ornamental, making it a valuable addition to gardens or foraged collections.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Ophrys bertolonii thrives in moist conditions and prefers light to medium soils that can be sandy, loamy, or clayey. It is hardy in temperate regions with a range of 6-9 on the USDA Hardiness Zone scale. This perennial reaches up to 0.4 meters in height and requires moderate watering. For optimal growth, provide it with plenty of light, aiming for an 8/10 light requirement. Harvest its edible root parts when needed. The soil pH should be maintained between 5 and 5.5 for best results.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
6-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.4 m tall
Soil pH
5–5.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Ophrys bertolonii for the first time
8steps
Start with basic care and focus on learning the plant's needs.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot, well-draining soil, a trowel, and water.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a light, sandy loam with a pH of 5-5.5. Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants from the wild carefully or sow seeds in spring.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and place in a partially shaded area.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Fertilize sparingly with an organic option if needed.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves to maintain plant health and appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, using incorrect soil pH, neglecting drainage, not providing enough light, and over-fertilizing.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Root
Edible uses: The root of Ophrys bertolonii is edible and can be consumed raw or cooked. Typically, it is prepared by digging up the plant and either eating the roots fresh or incorporating them into various dishes after boiling or roasting. The roots are often used in traditional Mediterranean cuisine to add a unique flavor to meals.
Other uses:Fragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
4 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
4 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 4 native
Europe2 regions
native (2)GreeceItaly
Broader regions
native:Yugoslavia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 55072a04-e581-450d-b3ee-cf53dabb34c3
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