Orchids don’t always reward their pollinators — sometimes they mislead them. From flowers that mimic insect mates to blooms that smell like rotting fish, orchids have evolved remarkable strategies to ensure their reproductive success. Experts at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., explain how these botanical deceivers work and why, despite their impressive bag of tricks, many orchid species are currently considered endangered.
Transcript
Mandana Tadayon: Orchids are among the largest plant families on Earth — often trading the top spot with daisies as new species get discovered.
George Guenther, Advanced Gardener, U. S. Botanic Garden: Orchids are incredibly diverse. There are many thousands of species around the world.