Orchids are famed for their beautiful and alluring flowers – and the great lengths to which people will go to experience them in the wild. Among Aust Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT ...

For example, the Australian hammer orchid has taken advantage of a mating ritual of the Thynnid wasp, which involves a female wasp waiting on top of a branch or plant for a male to spot her.

But in Australia, at least 250 species in some 10 genera have adopted the strategy, deceiving male insects – mostly wasps – into believing that they’ve found an elusive female. Hammer orchids, spider ...

But in Australia, at least 250 species in some 10 genera have adopted the strategy, deceiving male insects – mostly wasps – into believing that they’ve found an elusive female. Hammer orchids, spider ...

Hammer Orchids (Drakaea species) and Flying Duck Orchids (Paracaleana species) both found in southwest Australia, and Caleana (southeast Australia) encourage pollination by fooling a pollinator ...

Australia’s hammer orchids are unusually tricky. Narrow-lipped Hammer Orchid (Western Australia) Mark Brundrett. If you look closely at the labellum of the hammer orchid, you notice it looks ...

An Orchid Exhibit Family Day, when visitors can talk with experts, take their picture with a life-sized orchid and pot their own plant to take home, is scheduled for Saturday, February 26.

Among Australian orchids, evocative names such as The Butterfly Orchid, ... In the case of hammer orchids, the male grasps the insect-like lip and attempts to fly off with “her”.