Weird & Wonderful
The Bucket Orchid
Orchids are some of the world's most beautiful flowers. But like many beauties they ask much from those who serve them. One of the most challenging is the BUCKET ORCHID. It produces a liquid scent in its petal bucket. This is picked up by male bees in the forest and knowing they will need oil from the orchid to attract a mate, they crowd around to collect it. Soon one slips into the bucket. The only way out, as the sides of the bucket are wet and slippery, is through a narrow petal tunnel. As the bee struggles through, he collects a dollop of pollen on his back. If he goes swimming in another bucket, he must get out again by the tunnel, where his pollen ball is neatly hooked off on a tiny spike. Hard luck for him but good for the orchid!
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