Researchers at Kobe University have shown that the fringes at the edge of orchid flowers play a crucial role not in luring pollinators, but in giving hawk moths something stable to grasp as they pollinate. The study appears in Ecology.
The egret orchid earned its name from the gleaming white leaves that resemble a perched bird. Legend says the spirit of a white heron was reborn within the orchid flower.
Earlier scientists believed the fringe was there to attract hawk moths. Yet removing the fringes did not reduce pollination rates, and hawk moths still located the flowers. The experiment occurred in a natural setting. Results showed that tufted flowers produced fewer healthy seeds than those with intact fringes.
Hawk moths, the primary pollinators of this orchid, typically grasp the edge of the bloom with their feet to stay steady while sipping nectar. Researchers observed that butterflies often struggle to do this on plants whose fringes have been removed. As a result, without the fringe to provide stability, the moths may fail to transfer enough pollen, leading to fewer pollen grains reaching the plant and a decline in seed health.
This important study reveals that a striking fringe is not just for attracting pollinators. It appears to have evolved to match the pollinator’s anatomy, enhancing the flower’s reproductive success.