Solitary bees (
Halictus sp.) were found to be the effective pollinators of
Cephalanthera longifolia. In the same foraging flight the bees also visit flowers of
Cistus salviifolius which has a similar colour pattern.
Cephalanthera offers no reward to its pollinators, but orange papillae on its labellum successfully imitate pollen of
Cistus. As
Cephalanthera also attracts pollinators in the absence of
Cistus, this is regarded as
facultative floral mimicry
.
Key words Angiosperms -
Orchidaceae
-
Cephalanthera longifolia
-
Cistaceae
-
Cistus salviifolius
-
Hymenoptera
-
Halictus
- Flower biology and ecology - pollination - pollen imitation - floral mimicry