Editing Ophrys apifera (section)

== Distribution ==
''Ophrys apifera'' is widespread across central and southern Europe, as well as North Africa and the Middle East. Its range stretches from [[Portugal]], [[Ireland]] and [[Denmark]] east to [[Iran]] and the [[Caucasus]]. It is quite common in the [[Mediterranean region]] eastwards to the [[Black Sea]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=140745|title= World Checklist of Selected Plant Families}}</ref> (Codes) <ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.nhm.ac.uk/hosted_sites/tdwg/TDWG_geo2.pdf |title=World Checklist of Selected Plant Families TDWG Geocodes}}</ref> but is less common in its northern range being uncommon or local in [[Germany]] and Ireland.

In the United Kingdom, it has a distinct southeastern preference, being more common in England. Recently it has been found in the southwest of England in [[Butleigh]] near [[Glastonbury]] in [[Somerset]] and Dorchester, Dorset; whereas it is only to be found in coastal regions of [[Wales]] as well as the [[Hodbarrow Nature Reserve]] in [[Millom]], Cumbria,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/h/hodbarrow/index.aspx|title=The RSPB: Hodbarrow|work=The RSPB}}</ref> and some parts of [[Northern Ireland]]. It is relatively common in the northeast of England and in recent years large numbers have appeared in the grass verges surrounding the [[MetroCentre (shopping centre)|Metro Centre]] in [[Gateshead]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/06/21/orchid-colony-discovered-in-grass-verge-61634-21129155/|title=Orchid colony discovered in grass verge|author=Tony Henderson|date=21 June 2008|work=journallive|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421005112/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/06/21/orchid-colony-discovered-in-grass-verge-61634-21129155/|archive-date=21 April 2013}}</ref> In [[Scotland]], it was thought to be extinct, but was rediscovered in [[Ayrshire]] in 2003. In some countries the plants have protected status. They are unusual in that in some years they appear in great numbers, then sometimes only reappear after an absence of many years.

The genus ''Ophrys'' is the most species-rich (i.e. diverse) genus of orchids in Europe and the Mediterranean with over 200 species, according to ''Orchids of Britain and Europe'' by Pierre Delforge.