Catasetum Fanfair

In Explore September 25, 2009, #405.

This is a hybrid of Catasetum expansum and saccatum and a nice example of this interesting group of orchids. The appendages above the lip of this flower are part of the pollinating mechanism. They are like triggers that when touched cause the pollinia to shoot out. These pollinia are attached to a short stalk with a pad of quick drying adhesive on the end. The pollinia, when shot out of the flower, glue themselves to the back of the pollinating insect or to the nose of the person who is trying to smell the flower (the flowers have a very attractive scent).