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Trickery, mimicry and deceit of orchids in the wild

Most gardeners will be familiar with the exotic Cymbidium and Phalanopsis orchids or maybe the native Dendrobium. However, the orchids which fascinate me are the tiny terrestrial orchids which can be found growing in the wild in the eastern and southern states of Australia. When I look at them closely through the macro lens of my camera, I really start to see the amazing details in their 
flowers.

Corybas fimbriatus orchids compared to a 10 cent coin

Corybas fimbriatus orchids compared to a 10 cent coin

 

Orchids belong to the largest plant group on earth with over 30,000 identified species. Of these, over 1700 species are found in Australia and the majority of these are found nowhere else in the world.

Approximately 80% of our native orchids are terrestrial (that is they grow in the ground) and they vary in size from the tiny Helmet Orchids (Corybas species) which are only 1-2 cm in height, to the Tall Leek Orchid which can reach to a metre.

A colony of terrestrial orchids (Caladenia flava ssp. maculata) flowering north of Perth, WA

A colony of terrestrial orchids (Caladenia flava ssp. maculata) flowering north of Perth, WA

 

The remaining 20% are either epiphytes (which grow on the trunks and branches of trees and some even tangle themselves in the outer twigs) or lithophytes (which grow on rocks and cliff faces).

 

TRICKERY, MIMICRY AND DECEIT

I find that the study of orchids and particularly their methods to achieve pollination to be fascinating. It even leads to a world of trickery, mimicry and deceit.

One of the petals of an orchid flower has been modified and is known as the ‘lip’ or ‘labellum’. This serves as the attractor or landing pad for the insects that visit the flower. Some orchid flowers can be quite bizarre in shape and they are often adorned with colourful hairs, bands or teeth to attract their insect pollinator.

Calochilus campestris (Copper Beard Orchid) showing the labellum with the ‘landing pad’ of colourful hairs

Calochilus campestris (Copper Beard Orchid) showing the labellum with the ‘landing pad’ of colourful hairs

Eriochilus petricola (Parsons Bands) has decorated its labellum with woolly hairs

Eriochilus petricola (Parsons Bands) has decorated its labellum with woolly hairs

 

Orchids achieve pollination in a variety of ways including mimicking the appearance and scent of the female insect by enticing the male pollinators with a promise of sweet nectar, but then failing to provide it.

One orchid, which emits a sweet smelling scent, is Lyperanthus suaveolens. Its pollinator is deceived into seeking nectar from the base of the labellum, but goes away unrewarded. However, he does collect pollen in the process which he later deposits on the next flower, so achieving pollination for the orchid.

Lyperanthus suaveolens (Brown Beak Orchid) is sweet-smelling but gives no nectar reward

Lyperanthus suaveolens (Brown Beak Orchid) is sweet-smelling but gives no nectar reward

 

In the same way, Corybas orchids which have the appearance of small fungi, have a foul smell which attracts fungus gnats and small flies which are their pollinators.

The fungi-like Corybas aconitiflorus (Spurred Helmet Orchid) is only 1 or 2 cm tall and is pollinated by fungus gnats attracted by the foul smell

The fungi-like Corybas aconitiflorus (Spurred Helmet Orchid) is only 1 or 2 cm tall and is pollinated by fungus gnats attracted by the foul smell

 

Chiloglottis orchids use trickery to achieve pollination. Each species of Chiloglottis orchid has its own specific wasp pollinator. The orchid produces a special floral scent known as a pheromone which mimics that of the female wasp. As well, an arrangement of glands and calli on the labellum (lip) of the flower bears a remarkable resemblance to the female wasp. As a consequence, the male sees and smells what he thinks is a female and flies down to mate with her. In the confusion, he picks up pollen which he then deposits on the next flower and so pollination occurs.

Chiloglottis formicifera (Common Ant Orchid) showing the insect-like arrangement of glands and calli on the labellum. The browns and greens of the dull-coloured flowers make them difficult to spot

Chiloglottis formicifera (Common Ant Orchid) showing the insect-like arrangement of glands and calli on the labellum. The browns and greens of the dull-coloured flowers make them difficult to spot

Chiloglottis formicifera

Chiloglottis formicifera

 

The Large Tongue Orchid (Cryptostylis subulata) also uses trickery to achieve pollination. This orchid has a very prominent labellum that is designed to fool a visiting wasp into thinking he is mating with the female of his species. Known as pseudo-copulation, this results in pollen being transferred between pollinator and flower.

Cryptostylis subulata (Large Tongue Orchid) showing the prominent labellum

Cryptostylis subulata (Large Tongue Orchid) showing the prominent labellum

Cryptostylis hunteriana (Leafless Tongue Orchid) has a very prominent hairy labellum

Cryptostylis hunteriana (Leafless Tongue Orchid) has a very prominent hairy labellum

 

The Flying Duck Orchid (Calena major) is one of the orchids which traps its insect pollinator to achieve pollination. In this case, the head of the duck is the labellum. When an insect lands on the ‘head’, a trigger is released resulting in the insect being trapped in the ‘wings’ of the flower. To escape, the insect must brush past the pollen presenter. In so doing he picks up pollen as he escapes from the flower.

Caleana major (Large Flying Duck Orchid) showing the remarkable resemblance to a duck in flight

Caleana major (Large Flying Duck Orchid) showing the remarkable resemblance to a duck in flight

 

Greenhood orchids also trap their pollinators. The labellum is on a touch sensitive trigger and as an insect descends into the flower, the trigger is released and it suddenly finds itself flung into the body of the flower. As it tries to escape, it picks up a dab of pollen which is later transferred to another greenhood flower.

Pterostylis nutans (Nodding Greenhood) with its translucent nodding flower

Pterostylis nutans (Nodding Greenhood) with its translucent nodding flower

Pterostylis grandiflora has the well-chosen common name of ‘Cobra Greenhood’

Pterostylis grandiflora has the well-chosen common name of ‘Cobra Greenhood’

 

Some orchids such as The Horned Orchid (Orthoceras strictum) and Austral Ladies Tresses (Spiranthes australis) are self-pollinating. Their pollen is crumbly and falls readily within the column.

Orthoceras strictum (Horned Orchid) is a self-pollinating orchid

Orthoceras strictum (Horned Orchid) is a self-pollinating orchid

Spiranthes australis (Austral Ladies Tresses) with its flowers arranged in a dense spiral spike

Spiranthes australis (Austral Ladies Tresses) with its flowers arranged in a dense spiral spike

 

Other orchids mimic native flowers to attract their pollinator. Examples of these are the blue Sun Orchids (Thelymitra species) that are pollinated by the same insects that pollinate the blue native irises (Patersonia) and lilies (Dianella). The yellow Donkey Orchids (Diuris) and yellow peaflowers are pollinated by the same insects (native bees).

Thelymitra ixioides (Spotted Sun Orchid) mimics native irises and lilies to achieve pollination

Thelymitra ixioides (Spotted Sun Orchid) mimics native irises and lilies to achieve pollination

Diuris aurea (Golden Donkey Orchid) mimics the yellow peaflowers

Diuris aurea (Golden Donkey Orchid) mimics the yellow peaflowers

 

Another orchid which mimics another plant is The Tall Leek Orchid (Prasophyllum elatum). It copies the Xanthorrhoea (Grass Tree) in several ways. They are both pollinated by the same insects, they both flower well the season following a bushfire and from a distance the flowers of the orchid could be mistaken for the flowers of the Grass Trees.

Prasophyllum elatum (Tall Leek Orchid) flowering beside Xanthorrhoea

Prasophyllum elatum (Tall Leek Orchid) flowering beside Xanthorrhoea

Prasophyllum elatum (Tall Leek Orchid), the flowers of which from a distance resemble those of the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea)

Prasophyllum elatum (Tall Leek Orchid), the flowers of which from a distance resemble those of the grass trees (Xanthorrhoea)

 

ENJOYING THESE EXQUISITE GEMS

As much as it would be a delight to have these fascinating plants growing in the garden, I leave that to the experts! Many native orchid growers do have success growing some of the terrestrial species in pots. However, while a few may be easy to grow, others are very difficult or impossible in cultivation.

Normally native orchids in the wild need a relationship with a specific underground fungus to survive and that cannot be readily provided in a garden environment.

We also need to remember that all Australian native orchids are protected plants and cannot be picked or collected in the wild. So instead, we enjoy them through the lens of the camera!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Margaret Bradhurst has had a life-long interest in native orchids. Growing up in Hobart she brought that love of orchids to southern Sydney where for the last 25 years, she has been recording and photographing native orchids. She has been a member of the Sutherland Group of the Australian Plant Society NSW for many years.

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Margaret Bradhurst
Margaret Bradhurst
7 years ago

Thank you for your comments. Our native terrestrial orchids in particular have always fascinated me.

Margaret
Margaret
7 years ago

Excellent article. Margaret

Margaret Bradhurst
Margaret Bradhurst
7 years ago
Reply to  Margaret

Thank you for your comments. Orchids are certainly fascinating plants.

Mt Gravatt Environment Group

Thank you for pointing me towards the pollinators for our local Pterostylis nutans (Nodding Greenhood)
I did a bit more research and find that it is typically order Diptera: flies and mosquitoes for these orchids. I will add that information to our Flora & Fauna data for Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve and also use with the Pollinator Link project.

Margaret Bradhurst
Margaret Bradhurst
7 years ago

Thank you for your comments on my article. Pollination of our native orchids is certainly a fascinating subject.

Catherine Stewart
Admin
7 years ago

I am entranced, Margaret, by the incredible diversity of these orchid flowers. I love our local Australian plants and I now wonder how many flowers I’ve looked at without realising that they are orchids. They have very cunning disguises!

helen
helen
7 years ago

Snap, Margaret! I’ve been photographing native orchids for the last few years and the amazing diversity of flower forms is endlessly fascinating. Your state native orchid society or club is another a terrific place to meet enthusiasts! I joined my club recently and have already learned an enormous amount from people whose expertise is measured in decades.

Margaret Bradhurst
Margaret Bradhurst
7 years ago
Reply to  helen

Thank you for your comments Helen. I too enjoy meeting other enthusiasts.