The pollinator of Calypso bulbosa, specifically the var. americana, is the large bumblebee queen. These beautiful orchids have evolved a clever strategy to ensure successful pollination by synchronizing their flowering period with the emergence of their pollinators in late spring. It’s truly fascinating how nature works!
I remember the first time I encountered the Calypso bulbosa var. americana in Banff, Alberta. It was a crisp spring morning, and as I wandered through the forest, I stumbled upon a small patch of these enchanting orchids. Their delicate pink and purple flowers immediately caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but be drawn to their intricate beauty.
Little did I know at the time that these flowers were deceiving, providing no rewards for their visitors. The Calypso bulbosa var. americana has evolved to be a master of deception, tricking the bumblebee queens into visiting their flowers without offering any nectar or pollen in return.
You see, the large bumblebee queens emerge from hibernation in late spring, hungry and in search of food. They rely on flowers for sustenance, and the Calypso bulbosa var. americana takes advantage of this by timing its flowering period to coincide with the bumblebee queens’ emergence.
When a bumblebee queen comes across a patch of Calypso bulbosa var. americana, she is enticed by the deceptive flowers. The orchid mimics the appearance and scent of a rewarding flower, attracting the bumblebee queen with the promise of nectar and pollen. The bumblebee queen, unaware of the orchid’s deceit, lands on the flower and begins probing for nectar.
However, to her disappointment, she finds no rewards. The Calypso bulbosa var. americana has no nectar or pollen to offer. It’s a clever strategy employed by the orchid to ensure that the bumblebee queen inadvertently transfers pollen from one flower to another as she moves from flower to flower in search of food.
This mutualistic relationship between the Calypso bulbosa var. americana and the bumblebee queens is truly remarkable. The orchid relies on the bumblebee queens for pollination, while the bumblebee queens unknowingly assist in the orchid’s reproduction as they move from flower to flower.
The pollinator of the Calypso bulbosa var. americana is the large bumblebee queen. These deceptive flowers have evolved to synchronize their flowering period with the emergence of their pollinators, taking advantage of the bumblebee queens’ hunger and reliance on flowers for food. It’s a fascinating example of nature’s intricate and clever mechanisms for survival and reproduction.
