The genus Ophrys is a large group of orchids whose flowers resemble insects; namely bees, flies and spiders. The Wikipedia page on Ophrys lists around 300 different sub-species as well as around 200 hybrids. Each Ophrys has its own pollinating insect and is dependent entirely on that species for survival. Apparently many insects are easily duped and do not return and so the Fly Orchid’s rate of pollination is only around 10%. However, each Ophrys orchid produces approximately 12,000 miniscule seeds to counter the low pollination problem.

Orchids have a symbiotic relationship with a fungus in the soil which allows them to obtain sufficient nutrients to compete successfully with other plants. Any alteration or modification of the soil with fertilisers or pesticides will alter that balance, so it is very difficult to grow these plants in domesticated gardens.

The Fly Orchid grows to a height of between 30cms (12 inches) and 50cms (20 inches), the stems producing between two and seven flowers coloured brown (furry to the touch) with three green sepals from late May to June. Like the Bee Orchid, the tips of the leaves turn brown before the flowers fully open so there is always an annoying detail to mar an otherwise potentially perfect photograph.

The Fly Orchid is an hermaphrodite - the flowers resemble a female insect and emit a scent similar to female pheromones. Male insects attempt to mate with the flower and the pollen bearing pollinia attach themselves to the insects head and are carried to another plant. Pollinia are waxy globules of pollen and not the powdery form that can be picked-up by bees. All orchids rely on the pollinia becoming attached to the heads of visiting insects, the base of the pollinia being very sticky.

The scientific name Ophrys is derived from the Greek word for eyebrow - clearly referring to the hairy or furry lips of several of the species. An altogether odder name for the Fly Orchid is Testiculus, which leads to another connection. Working backwards from the “New Shorter Oxford Dictionary” I find the word Salep provides...

salep noun M18 [French from Turkish salep from Arabic ta’lab fox, shortening of kusa ‘t-ta’lab orchid (lit. fox’s testicles) cf. Saloop]. A starchy preparation of the dried tubers of various orchids, especially the genus Orchis, used in cookery and formerly as a tonic... and

saloop [Alt. of French Salep] E18 A hot drink consisting of an infusion of powdered salep or (later) sassafras, with milk and sugar, formerly sold on the streets of London as a tonic.

Salep is the yellowish-white powder obtained by grinding up the dried tuber of an orchid. According to Mrs. Maude Grieve’s 1930s work, “A Modern Herbal” (Penguin 1984) - boiled in water it forms a gelatinous substance which can be used to treat gastrointestinal problems. Other non-medical, but no doubt beneficial uses, include adding it in bread making, and to cereals