Many orchid species feature a pouch-like structure known as a labellum in their middle petal, offering insects an ideal landing pad and pollination trap.
Orchids with short bloom periods might appear to have difficulty co-ordinating with other members of their species for successful cross-pollination, yet some New World orchid species manage this challenge using temperature signals as group triggers to synchronize simultaneous flowering.
Habitat
One key reason that orchids thrive in the rainforest is that they can make use of nutrients and moisture from host trees, with roots running along trunks and branches of their host tree, sucking up water via pseudobulbs specialized cells called pseudobulbs for absorption. Furthermore, pseudobulbs act as an emergency water reservoir in times of drought while protecting against fire or insect damage to ensure survival for each plant.
Many species of orchid produce fragrant scents to attract pollinating insects, mimicking insect pheromones like honey, lemon, musk, cinnamon, chocolate or freshly cut grass scents to draw them in. Many commercial perfumers even utilize some of these odors as part of their production processes.
Orchids differ from most plants in that they use mycorrhizal fungi to take in water and nutrients through their root systems instead of feeding on plant roots for sustenance and moisture. Mycorrhizal fungi convert toxins from host trees' roots into vital plant nutrition that the orchid can utilize.
Triphora trianthophoros, commonly known as the three birds orchid, features flowers that resemble both moth wings and bird heads to deter predators that might otherwise eat its nectar. Found from Texas to Maine and Ontario forests; typically found among stands of American beech (Fagus grandifolia). Large colonies may form.
Flowering Habits
Orchids bloom during the day and attract pollinators through attractive aromas, bright colors (except red which bees perceive as black or gray), landing platforms with nectar guides in the form of striped lines running into their depths, nectar guides with striped lines running deep into each flower and concealed necaries. Most orchid flowers feature one fertile anther and stigma separated by a flap of tissue called the rostellum with sticky pads known as viscidium attached directly onto its surface and in more advanced genera even straps of nonsticky tissue called stipe straps called pollinia caudicles attached directly onto both structures for pollen production and delivery to other parts of their flowering sites for ease of pollen transference.
Flies are integral pollinators of orchids, and many species in the genus Bulbophyllum employ unique mechanisms to attract them as pollinators. One strategy involves using hinged lips that tip with the weight of a fly and launch it into the flower's nectar-rich anthers and stigma. Another effective tactic involves mimicking decaying substances or carrion; flowers of Flickingeria mimic fungi-like growths with shape and scent characteristics that attract male flies who fall for this deception.
Three-birds orchid is an eye-catching orchid that resembles an elegant combination of a swan and bird of paradise, and thrives in New England beech forests (Fagus grandifolia).
Threats
The orchid family encompasses species that are both pantropical (able to live across many tropical countries) and endemic (restricted to specific regions). Although orchids can be found in various habitat types, they remain vulnerable due to human activities that degrade their natural environment; land-use change and pollution (including eutrophication ) lead to significant biodiversity losses.
Due to their complexity, there remains much we don't understand about orchids. Our understanding of pollination mechanisms remains limited - some orchids are pollinated by birds, bees or insects like fungus gnats but little is known about how their presence impacts pollination processes or what interactions exist between these organisms and the plants they pollinate.
Orchid life histories are complex; certain species are short-lived and more vulnerable to environmental change than others, while others live for longer and are more robust. To better our knowledge of their ecology, researchers are conducting studies aimed at identifying key factors affecting conservation status of orchid species.
Florida ghost orchids face threats from poaching and logging, necessitating federal protection. Environmental groups have filed a petition on its behalf. Furthermore, support from International Orchid Conservation Society and Center for Biological Diversity could provide the funds that enable it to thrive even amid habitat destruction.
Conservation
Orchids are complex and unique plants. Their delicate growth habits make them vulnerable to disturbance, while they depend on essential relationships between animals, fungi and other plants for survival. Unfortunately, many orchid species have become extinct from the wild over time; some as recent as Caladenia brachyscapa (now only 40 individuals left at one site on Tasmania's roadsides in Australia) and Paphiopedilum wardii (extinct from wild population and found only as single cultivate plant in China) have gone extinct from wild populations or over harvested in cultivation for too long; now extinct altogether from wild populations in Tasmania Australia).
Orchid conservation efforts must include both habitat protection and research into their ecology and population dynamics. Understanding orchid interactions with their habitats is especially vital as habitat degradation and human activity increases; for instance, research into pollinator roles played by fungi may allow us to restore them more effectively into natural settings; genetic and phenotypic information should also be utilized as part of taxonomic revision processes (Joffard et al 2016). Tools which integrate such data are now readily available, and have begun being employed successfully by studies of Pseudophrys with promising results (Joffard et al 2016).
Awareness creation is also key in orchid conservation efforts. Orchids are visually striking, drawing people in with their beauty. Orchid societies play an essential role in raising public awareness about the value and necessity of protecting these delicate flowers.