Aplectrum hyemale [pollination & insect interaction]
Plants are incredible, with many different strategies for survival. In this case the Putty Root orchid [Aplectrum hyemale]. This orchid sends up a leaf in fall when most plants wither for the winter, collecting the suns energy for flowering the following year. The leaves wither and die when the plant flowers in the spring. Also some of the seed capsules still retain their seeds well into March. A different strategy indeed for this beautiful orchid. Pa. 3-14-26
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Plants are incredible, with many different strategies for survival. In this case the Putty Root orchid [Aplectrum hyemale]. This orchid sends up a leaf in fall when most plants wither for the winter, collecting the suns energy for flowering the following year. The leaves wither and die when the plant flowers in the spring. Also some of the seed capsules still retain their seeds well into March. A different strategy indeed for this beautiful orchid. Pa. 3-14-26
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24
Putty Root Orchid [Aplectrum hyemale] showing an ant inside the flower. Putty Root is considered self pollinating as it does not produce nectar to attract insects. But insects, such as ants, can remove the anther cap while exploring the flower thus exposing the pollen. So insects, in this case an ant, can indirectly assist the pollination even if they don't directly directly transfer pollen to the stigma. Perry County, Pa. 5-17-24