Centre For Ecology’s Post

Many orchids often have exclusive relationships with just one pollinator. But what happens if such a fussy orchid reaches an island where its pollinator doesn’t exist? Research published in October this year has revealed how finding an alternative pollinator may cost an orchid its identity. On mainland Japan, only a specific bumblebee pollinates the orchid Goodyera henryi. Researchers were surprised to find the orchid on the remote Kozu Island, where the bumblebee is not found. They then found that on the island, G. henryi is pollinated by a wasp that pollinates its close relative G. similis. In orchids with specialised pollinator relationships, the length of the flower tube often closely matches the length of the pollinating insect’s mouthparts. The island wasp’s mouthparts are much shorter than the bumblebee that pollinates G. henryi on the mainland. Interestingly, the researchers also noticed that G. henryi’s flower tube had also grown shorter on the island. On making genetic comparisons, they found that all specimens initially categorised as G. henryi on Kozu Island were hybrids of G. henryi and G. similis, and G. henryi in its original form was absent from the island. The absence of a bumblebee had blurred the species boundaries of the two orchids. Image: A representative photo of Goodyera repens [Photo by Ivar Leidus (CC BY-SA 4.0)] #Orchid #Pollination #Pollinators #Bees #Wasps #wildlifeconservationtrust #wctindia

The Bushveld Red Balloon (Erythrophysa transvaalensis) grows up to 4 or 5 m in height with slender stems branching from ground level or just above the base. The bark is brown, smooth and shiny, and the stems are slender and brittle. Its attractive flowers are produced in erect panicles before or with the new leaves, displaying green, suffused with red. The flowers have four clawed petals and straight, protruding stamens. The fruit is a large, balloon-like structure, three-angled, with three chambers; each chamber contains 1 or 2 large, round, smooth black seeds. Erythrophysa transvaalensis is listed as a protected tree by the Nature Conservation legislation of South Africa, but it is not listed on the red data list of threatened plants. The genus name Erythrophysa is derived from the Greek word erythros, red, and physa meaning bag, and refers to the red, balloon-like fruits. The specific epithet transvaalensis is from the locality name Transvaal. Mr V.K Hands who was the engineer in charge of building Bospoort Dam, sent the first species to the Botanical Research Institute in 1933. The seeds are reported to be used by African women to make beads. Although this tree has great potential as a garden plant, it is not widely grown at present. Credit for pictures and information to: https://lnkd.in/dPen-2kp https://lnkd.in/dAMTYE2g #ourbiosphere #ourheritage #ourhome #ourbiodiversity

Fascinating & Useless Things to Know: The fruits of Melocactus The fruits of Melocactus are pink and resemble the shape of pepper fruits. The fruits of this genus are edible, and in the wild they are frequently dispersed by lizards and birds. The Melocactus is a genus of cacti that belongs to the family Cactaceae. It is commonly known as the Turk's Cap or Turk's Hat cactus due to the unique shape of its cephalium, which resembles a Turkish fez hat. The cephalium is a woolly or bristly structure that forms on top of the cactus and contains the cactus's flowers and, eventually, its fruits. The fruits of Melocactus are small and typically bright pink or red in color. They are round or oval-shaped and can be covered in fine hairs or bristles. The fruits develop from the flowers that bloom within the cephalium. As the flowers are pollinated, they produce seeds, which eventually mature into the colorful fruits. The fruits of Melocactus are not typically consumed by humans as they are small and often filled with seeds. However, they are an essential part of the cactus's reproductive cycle, as they contain the seeds that can germinate and grow into new cacti. Melocactus species are native to various regions in the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. They are popular among cactus enthusiasts for their unique appearance and the striking color of their cephalium and fruits. However, due to habitat destruction and overcollection, some Melocactus species are considered endangered or vulnerable in the wild, and conservation efforts are in place to protect them.

Screwbean mesquite (Prosopis pubescens). Large, deciduous tree to 20-30’. Full sun, moderate to low water, hardy to 0°F. Larval host for the Reakirt's blue butterfly (Hemiargus isola), Marine Blue (Leptotes marina), and the Palmer's Metalmark (Apodemia palmeri). Important nectar plant for numerous insects, the insects in turn attract insectivorous birds. The pods & seeds edible to people, birds & mammals. This plant provides nesting habitat for birds. This plant is native to the southwestern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, southern Nevada and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora). It is found along streams and valleys in deserts, particularly in damp or saline soil. It grows alongside common plants of this habitat type, such as arrowweed (Pluchea sericea) and tamarisks. It can be found on playas and other areas of alkaline substrates. This species has a new botanical name—though we are keeping this under Prosopis for now, genetic data has put this plant in a new genus—Strombocarpa pubescens. The natural distribution of this species has decreased as the water has disappeared from the southwest. ———————————————— Restore the flora, restore the habitat. . #grownative #thedesertisbeautiful #arizona #tucson #arizonanativeplants #sonorandesert #skyislands #wildlifegardening #bajaarizonaplants #organic #desertliving #xeriscape #desertplants #tucsonlocal #localfirstarizona #ecologicalrestoration #nativeplantnursery #organicplantnursery #restoretheflora #organicdesertlandscape #organicgarden #restorethehabitat