Wildflower series - Tiny ground orchids

in #flowers7 years ago

This was a new discovery for me, I noticed these little greenish flowers and on closer inspection I thought they looked orchid-like. When I looked them up , I discovered that they are in fact orchids, part of the Bonatea family. They are easily overlooked because they are so small but they are fairly common throughout the region. This type is Bonatea Antennifera and it grows in dry areas of high altitude in the shade of other plants, as this one does in among the cosmos. It survives fire and frost because it has an underground tuber.

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These orchids are pollinated by hawk moths and like all orchids, it does so by mimicking the facial features of these large moths and the pollinaria sticks to the moth's eye. Since these plants only grow from seed, it must be fairly successful, as there are a number of plants dotted around in this location.

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They are the tiniest orchids I have ever seen. So interesting that the pollinators are all moths that carry the pollin on their eye. Thanks for the photo. 🐓🐓

Nature is fascinating

Beautiful variety of orchid that I did not know!
Thank you 😉

They are new to me as well

Nature does not recognize jokes; she is always truthful, always serious, always strict; she is always right; mistakes and errors come from people.

wow intresting....i love greenery it dosent matters what is this and from which family.. i dont have have much more knowledge about plants..but i love ...them.. i have many plants in my home and also flowers... i want to connect with you on facebook. for more knowledge ..thanx,...and i m new here first time on your blog..but i am really impressed to your work...good job..

Flowers, like people, are kindly generous and, giving people tenderness, they bloom, hearts warming, like small, warm bonfires. I liked your post.