This lovely Darwin's orchid (Angraecum sesquipedale) was donated to us by Jenn Purnell, a former Pacific Science Center employee who first came here as a Tropical Butterfly House volunteer. This is no ordinary orchid and its blooming is quite special. Orchids can be quite particular about when and for whom they will flower.
The story behind this orchid's name is interesting as well. The orchid has a very long spur, up to 16 or 17 inches, which holds the nectar. It can only be pollinated by the Darwin's Hawkmoth (Xanthopan morganii praedicta), which has - you guessed it - a proboscis long enough to reach into the spur for the nectar. The process of accessing the nectar releases the flower's pollen and pollinates the plant. Darwin predicted such a moth would be found, based on his experiments hand pollinating the orchid. (Hence, the subspecies nomenclature, praedicta.) The mutualistic relationship between the two species could not have been more clear.
A recent counter theory suggests that the Hawkmoth evolved this proboscis so that it could feed while hovering at a distance from the flower, thus avoiding predatory spiders that live on flowers. In that scenario, the orchid co-evolved after the moth's proboscis, because such a pollinator was available.
Either way, the orchid is gorgeous. Come check it out! It won’t be in bloom long. Though the flower is large, the plant is quite small. It’s in a small green glazed pot at about the center of the east wall near the butterfly feeding station. Imagine your visit as a micro-tropical vacation on a cold day.
The story behind this orchid's name is interesting as well. The orchid has a very long spur, up to 16 or 17 inches, which holds the nectar. It can only be pollinated by the Darwin's Hawkmoth (Xanthopan morganii praedicta), which has - you guessed it - a proboscis long enough to reach into the spur for the nectar. The process of accessing the nectar releases the flower's pollen and pollinates the plant. Darwin predicted such a moth would be found, based on his experiments hand pollinating the orchid. (Hence, the subspecies nomenclature, praedicta.) The mutualistic relationship between the two species could not have been more clear.
A recent counter theory suggests that the Hawkmoth evolved this proboscis so that it could feed while hovering at a distance from the flower, thus avoiding predatory spiders that live on flowers. In that scenario, the orchid co-evolved after the moth's proboscis, because such a pollinator was available.
Either way, the orchid is gorgeous. Come check it out! It won’t be in bloom long. Though the flower is large, the plant is quite small. It’s in a small green glazed pot at about the center of the east wall near the butterfly feeding station. Imagine your visit as a micro-tropical vacation on a cold day.
Will you be hand pollinating the orchid or do you have enough of the moths to get the job done?
ReplyDeleteWe unfortunately will probably not be getting any hawk moths soon, or trying to hand pollinate. Pollination would only be important if you're trying to gain seed. We are not currently looking to propagate more orchids, just displayng the one we have. Thanks
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