The Pollination of Microtis parviflora R. Br.
- 1 July 1975
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Annals of Botany
- Vol. 39 (3) , 585-589
- https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a084969
Abstract
The pollination of the orchid Microtis parviflora by ants, in southern Victoria, is described. The ants are attracted to the inflorescence by a sweet perfume and feed on an abundance of nectar secreted by the labellum. The pollinarium is deposited on the frons of the ant and is so structured that layers of pollen are stripped off by contact with a sticky stigma. The orchid is autogamous but not parthenocarpic and 75 per cent of the flowers are pollinated by ants within 3 days of anthesis.Keywords
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