ANOTHER DISCOVERY IN BLAGAJ: A NEW SPECIES FOR THE FLORA OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – THE ADRIATIC BEE ORCHID (Ophrys archipelagi Gölz & H.R. Reinhard)

At a site along the former old road to Nevesinje, an exceptionally important botanical discovery has been recorded—the presence of the Adriatic bee orchid (Ophrys archipelagi Gölz & H.R. Reinhard), a species not previously documented in the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The species was identified in the field by Dr. Elvedin Šabanović from the “Network for Nature Protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina” and Bariša Ilić from the Ornithological Society “Brkata sjenica” from Metković.

This is one of nine rare and distinctive species from the genus Ophrys (family Orchidaceae) recorded so far in Bosnia and Herzegovina. These orchids are known for their remarkable pollination strategy: their flowers closely resemble insects and mimic the sexual signals of female pollinators. Male insects, attempting to mate with the flower, inadvertently carry out pollination.

The discovery of the Adriatic bee orchid in Blagaj represents the first confirmed record of this species in Bosnia and Herzegovina, significantly extending its known distribution range. The species was first described in 1986 on the island of Korčula.

The Adriatic bee orchid is a rare species with a disjunct distribution on both sides of the Adriatic Sea. It has previously been recorded in:

the islands of Korčula, Cres, Lošinj, and Krk,

parts of the Dalmatian coast (between Zadar and Šibenik, and south of Dubrovnik),

Montenegro and Albania,

southeastern Italy (provinces of Foggia, Matera, Bari, and the Gargano Peninsula in Apulia).

This finding also confirms the high biological and ecological value of the Blagaj area, which is increasingly recognized as an important habitat for rare and insufficiently studied plant species. The site is characterized by karst terrain, sun-exposed slopes, and specific vegetation conditions that support the survival of sensitive and specialized plants.

Such habitats often remain insufficiently explored, even though they represent key areas for biodiversity conservation.

This discovery further highlights the need for systematic protection of the natural areas of Blagaj, including the wider region 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 point to the importance of preserving these ecosystems and ensuring their long-term sustainable management.

The discovery of Ophrys archipelagi in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents one of the more significant contemporary botanical findings in the country and further confirms that the natural heritage of this area holds exceptional scientific and conservation value.