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Orchids are the epitome of specialists. Each orchid species has its own particular way of attracting specific pollinators. Using shape, colour, smell and the right timing they lure bees, moths, birds or whatever they need into their intimate world of petals, sepals and stamens with the express aim of getting the tiny animals to distribute the orchids’ pollen to other orchids.
Some orchids offer up fragrant perfume while others attract flies with a smell of rotten meat. Some orchids emit their smell at night, when moths are active, while others save their smell for daytime, when bees are active.
The shapes and forms of orchids are something to behold and, to my great surprise, there is also a huge variation in the size of the different species. Some flowers are so small that they need to be viewed with the aid of a looking glass.
