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Coryanthes (maculata ?)
Common name: Bucket or Helmet orchid
Family: Orchidacaea
Country of Origin: Tropical America
Accession information:
Accession number: B1994.U.13
Culture: epiphytic orchid; water thoroughly
Epiphyte with extrafloral nectary; large, pendant waxy flowers with part of lip forming bucket into which drops of water are secreted from knobs on column; male
bees of genus Eulaema attracted by strong scent (apparently specific to each species, preventing hybridization) scratch on area of tissue at base of the lip
to collect the liquid scent, which intoxicates their front tarsi such that the bees
lose hold & fall into the bucket; they cannot scale the sides but must leave through a tunnel in which they deposit or collect the pollinia.(The Plant Book by D.J. Mabberly)
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