Native Orchids Wildflowers are Illusive and Alluring

In the South West of Western Australia, spring time is wildflower time. The bush lights up with many showy flowers, colours of yellows, reds, purples and blues. 

Native terrestrial orchids, being small and sometimes hard to see, are also the most sort after of all the wildflowers.

There is a wide variety of orchids in most locations, each having different ecological functions including having different pollinators. The white spider orchids send out a smell to bees tempting them to visit, this is a type of deception as white spider orchids provide no pollen for the bees. Donkey orchids mimic the colours of Bossiaea sp. to also fool pollinators to visit. The flying duck orchid shape shifts to represent a female wasp to attract a male wasp and fool him into pollinating the flower. 

Perhaps the most intriguing is the green hood orchid that seems harmless but is waiting for a gnat to visit. If that gnat does visit, the green hood orchid quickly closes its hood and the gnat is trapped. Whilst trying to escape the gnat pollinates the flower and is then absorbed by the plant. 

Happy wildflower and orchid hunting this season

Pterostylis vittata - Greenhood Orchid