Article

Ophrys apifera Huds. is a rare species of high conservational value in Bulgaria. Discussion on the distribution of the species and the state of 11 established populations were given. Six new localities were found in the region of Western Stara Planina and the respective habitats were identified. A hypochrome variety (Ophrys apifera f. flavescens Rosb.) is reported for the first time in Bulgaria. In the populations studied, O. apifera occurs together with other Orchidaceae species, which are also of conservational value - Himantoglossum caprinum (M. Bieb.) Spreng., Anacamptis pyramidalis (L.) L.C. Rich., Orchis purpurea Huds., and O. coriophora L.