Chapter 1
Visual tricksters of the meadow
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Chapter 2
Perfume traps and chemical forgery
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Chapter 3
The dark side of food fraud
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Chapter 4
Underground alliances and fungal friendships
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YOUR GOAL
Master of The secret world of orchids
Ch 1 · Visual tricksters of the meadow
suaz Western Australian Spider Orchids
Eight-inch petals dancing in the breeze! (Ooh, in the breeze!) Swaying in the wind to do what they please! (Yeah, do what they please!)
Glossary
Ophrys insectifera (noun)
A European fly orchid that mimics the shape and scent of female digger wasps to trick males into pollinating it. This botanical con artist shows how deceptive visuals drive evolution.
A European fly orchid that mimics the shape and scent of female digger wasps to trick males into pollinating it. This botanical con artist shows how deceptive visuals drive evolution.
Fun Fact
Sticky pollinia: Deceptive meadow orchids use visual tricks to lure bugs, gluing these specialized, gluey pollen packets onto fooled insects.
artiteacher Visual tricksters of the meadow
Just a fake female wasp on a hinge to swing you into my pollen.
Fun Fact
Orchid variety: With over 28,000 species, orchids make up about 8% of all flowering plants on Earth.
Glossary
bee orchid (noun)
Any of several orchids having flowers that resemble bees. Ophrys apifera thrives in European grasslands, often pollinating itself when its specific bee pollinator is absent.
Any of several orchids having flowers that resemble bees. Ophrys apifera thrives in European grasslands, often pollinating itself when its specific bee pollinator is absent.
Quiz
In 1862, which famous scientist published a groundbreaking book about how orchids are pollinated by insects?
Quiz
Approximately what percentage of all flowering plant species on Earth are orchids?
Quiz
What are the specialized pollen packets of orchids called that stick to visiting insects?
Quiz
How long can the spider-like petals of Western Australia's Caladenia orchids grow?