In the Peszér-forest, four Ophrys species can be found in the nature conservation area of special importance: the spider orchid (Ophrys sphegodes), the fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera), the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera) and the stag orchid (Ophrys oestrifera).
The earliest of these is the spider orchid, which started flowering here in mid-April.
In Hungary, all orchids are protected. As Ophrys are among the orchids, they are also protected.
The spider orchid is a highly protected species in Hungary, its nature conservation value is HUF 100,000.
The largest domestic population of the spider orchid is found in Upper-Kiskunság. One of the actions of our project (restoration of the frosted clearings of the Peszér-forest) serves the restoration (also) of the spider orchid’s habitats.
text and image by Phd Csaba Vadász
