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Catasetum Fimbriatum
''Catasetum fimbriatum'', the fringed catasetum, is a member of the orchid family of flowering plants and lives in a warm tropical environment. This plant uses a fascinating strategy to spread its pollen to other flowers via insects, primarily bees. When a pollinator lands on male flowers of C. fimbriatum and stimulates them, pollen is planted onto the back of the pollinator. This assures their gametes will be spread to other flowers the bee visits of the same species. The mechanism behind how male ''C. fimbriatum'' ejects its pollen onto bees is still not well understood. However, kinetic studies have been done. When a bee lands on the flower this stimulates the antennae triggering a quick change in membrane potential. This propagates an action potential that results in an increase in turgor pressure. Immediately following an ejection of pollen onto the back of the bee and according to Simon et al., can sometimes knock the bee off the flower. Indeed, this was probably an evolved ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Catasetum
''Catasetum'', abbreviated as Ctsm. in horticultural trade, is a genus of showy epiphytic Orchids, family Orchidaceae, subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Cymbidieae, subtribe Catasetinae, with 166 species, many of which are highly prized in horticulture. Species of the genus ''Catasetum'' occur from Mexico to Argentina, including much of Central America, the West Indies, and South America. The largest number of species is in Brazil. Biology They have thick, cigar-shaped pseudobulbs which are clustered. The leaves are pleated in the upper part and deciduous. The pseudobulbs become spiny after the leaves have dropped. The inflorescence is borne on the basis. It consists of very fleshy flowers that are unisexual, which is exceptional for orchids. The colorful male and yellowish-green female flowers are typically situated on different plants, a phenomenon known as dioecy. Which type of flower a plant produces is determined by the conditions under which it grows. Male and female fl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
