The Genus Coryanthes belongs to Stanhopeinae and bears some of the most bizarre and complicated flowers in nature. They are pollinated by male orchid bees (Euglossini) which collect fragrant substances said to be important for mating.
Both buds and seed pods develop extremely quickly for their size - approx. 20 days passed from the appearance of the flowerstalk to opening of the flowers. Seed pods are said to ripen within 45 days.
Flower anatomy:
Insects attracted by the strong scent fall into the bucket-shaped labellum which is filled with liquid produced by the faucet glands. The only way to escape is throug the stigmatic cavity at the rear end of the flower where the column carriing stigma and pollinia is located.
However, successful pollination requires that a pollinator is stupid enough to fall for the trick twice, first taking up pollinia and then placing it on the stigma of another flower of the same species. Even though this seems unlikely the mere exstence of the genus proves - it works!
mesochile:
What may be the function of these structures?
epichile:
Strange hair on the upperside
Labellum:
View into the bucket
Since the spots disappear after the flower is pollinated I speculate that they may play a role in attracting pollinators?!
The bucket formed by the labellum is completely flat on the underside making the flower look even more unreal
If you thought what you saw until now was strange - check out the rear view of the flower - into the stigmatic cavity!
Anther cap:
Anther cap removed showing pollina:
quick-motion Video:
klick here
Size: 4,69MB
Duration: Video - 00:50, Real Time - 01:40
Codec: DivX