A nice article on the discovery of a particularly great specimen of “Ghost Orchid” (Polyrrhiza lindenii) growing wild in Florida. This is a most unique and unusual find: A journalist who can write sensibly about orchids without getting all hot and bothered.
“That any ghost orchid exists at all anywhere on the planet is improbable. It is the compulsive gambler of the plant kingdom, evolutionarily speaking. ”Every one has gone through a gauntlet of improbabilities,” Owen said.
A ghost orchid seed will likely die if it’s not infected by a particular strain of beneficial fungus. It will likely die if there’s not enough peat to nourish its giant cypress host. It will likely die if there’s not enough water in the slough below to saturate the air and mediate temperature swings. It will likely die if the tree canopy isn’t dense enough to shelter it from the wind and desiccating sun.
Even if the ghost orchid has covered all these very long bets, it can be pollinated only by a giant moth that flies only at night.”
More about Polyrrhiza lindenii
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POLLENATRIX 