A rare orchid, named the “Adriatic bee orchid,” which until now had not been recorded in the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina, has been found in Blagaj.
The species Ophrys archipelagi Gölz & H.R. Reinhard was identified in the field by Dr. Elvedin Šabanović from the “Nature Protection Network of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and Bariša Ilić from the Ornithological Society “Brkata sjenica” from Metković, reports the Youth Club “Novi Val.”
It is one of nine rare and specific species from the genus Ophrys (family Orchidaceae) recorded so far in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These orchids are known for an extremely striking method of pollination: their flowers irresistibly resemble insects and mimic the sexual signals of female pollinators.
Male insects, attempting to perform copulation, actually carry out the pollination of the flowers.
The discovery of the Adriatic bee orchid in Blagaj represents the first finding of this species for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This significantly expands the known area of its distribution. The species was first described in 1986 on the island of Korčula.
The Adriatic bee orchid is a rare orchid with a disjunctive distribution area on both sides of the Adriatic Sea. So far, it has been recorded on the islands of Korčula, Cres, Lošinj, and Krk, parts of the Dalmatian coast, in Montenegro and Albania, and southeast Italy.
This finding simultaneously confirms the high biological and ecological value of the Blagaj area, which is increasingly recognized as an important habitat for rare and insufficiently researched plant species.
The locality is characterized by karst terrains, sunny slopes, and specific vegetation conditions that allow for the survival of sensitive and specialized plants.
Precisely such habitats often remain insufficiently researched, even though they represent key points for the preservation of biodiversity.
This discovery further emphasizes the need for the systemic protection of the natural areas of Blagaj, including the wider space along the Buna and Bunica rivers, which are exposed to various anthropogenic pressures.
New data on the presence of rare and previously unrecorded species clearly indicate the importance of preserving these ecosystems and the need for their long-term and sustainable management.
The discovery of the species Ophrys archipelagi in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents one of the more significant contemporary botanical discoveries in the country and further confirms that the natural heritage of this area has exceptional scientific and conservation importance.
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Source: N1, Photo: Dr.sc. Elvedin Šabanović