One of the brighter colored and very beautiful species. The blossoms are brown and yellow with a large orange dot. They can pollinate themselves.

O. apifera prefers very dry lime meadows and can appear on these places in masses, sometimes even with white blossoms. I have found it together with Aceras and Himantoglossom plants. But be aware that these plants don't bloom every year.

This orchid can be cultivated in a dry lime bed with good water drain or near the base of a dry hill bed. They have winter leaves, which should be protected in areas with hard winters. In the summer rest, when no leaves are visible, the bed should be kept dry.

On appropiate places, seedlings can be awaited after three or four years.