The pollinator of Calypso bulbosa , specifically the var . americana , is the big humblebee queen . These beautiful orchidaceous plant have evolved a clever strategy to assure successful pollenation by synchronizing their unfolding geological period with the emergence of their pollinators in late spring . It ’s rightfully fascinating how nature works !
I remember the first metre I encountered the Calypso bulbosa var . americana in Banff , Alberta . It was a frizzly fountain morn , and as I wind through the forest , I bumble upon a small patch of these enchanting orchids . Their finespun pink and purple efflorescence immediately caught my oculus , and I could n’t help but be drawn to their intricate beaut .
minuscule did I know at the meter that these flowers were delude , providing no rewards for their visitors . The Calypso bulbosa var . americana has evolved to be a master of misrepresentation , tricking the bumblebee queens into visiting their flowers without offering any nectar or pollen in tax return .
You see , the large humblebee pouf come out from hibernation in recent bounce , thirsty and in search of food . They bank on flowers for bread and butter , and the Calypso bulbosa var . americana make vantage of this by timing its flower period to coincide with the bumblebee queen ’ emergence .
When a bumblebee queen comes across a patch of Calypso bulbosa var . americana , she is lure by the deceptive prime . The orchid mimic the appearance and odor of a rewarding flower , pull in the bumblebee queen mole rat with the promise of nectar and pollen . The bumblebee world-beater , unaware of the orchidaceous plant ’s deceit , lands on the flower and begin probe for nectar .
However , to her disappointment , she regain no reward . The Calypso bulbosa var . americana has no ambrosia or pollen to offer . It ’s a clever strategy employed by the orchid to check that the bumblebee queen inadvertently transferee pollen from one blossom to another as she moves from flower to flower in hunting of solid food .
This mutualistic kinship between the Calypso bulbosa var . americana and the bumblebee queens is truly remarkable . The orchid relies on the bumblebee queens for pollenation , while the humblebee king inadvertently assist in the orchid ’s reproduction as they move from flower to flower .
The pollinator of the Calypso bulbosa var . americana is the bombastic bumblebee queen . These deceptive heyday have evolved to synchronize their efflorescence period with the emersion of their pollinators , taking advantage of the bumblebee queens ’ hunger and reliance on flowers for nutrient . It ’s a fascinating good example of nature ’s intricate and clever mechanisms for survival and reproduction .
Caroline Bates
