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Wild Wild Life

Blooming marvellous Orchids seem unique in how they inspire

such a devoted following, but why are there so many species of
these much-loved plants, wonders Penny Sarchet

T
HE announcement Calaway Dodson, who, in 2003, a highly effective way of ensuring
of a newly recognised tackled the issue of why there are pollination, but it probably works
orchid species in Japan so many orchid species in Ecuador best when mimics are rare so
prompted discussion among in particular. He noted that that pollinators aren’t deceived
our UK news team recently. Ecuador is the smallest country too often. It is possible that this
Spiranthes hachijoensis is in the Andes, but that more than therefore drives the evolution
undoubtedly beautiful, and it is 3700 species of orchid had been of new orchid species that target
always surprising to hear of new recorded there, and proposed a other pollinator species, to avoid
species in well-studied countries. number of features of orchids that them catching on. It seems to
Penny Sarchet is But I couldn’t help being slightly may contribute to their ability to work – there are several hundred
New Scientist’s news cynical about this one, which is rapidly diversify into new species. species of the Ophrys genus of
and digital director. She very similar to another known Seeds were one of these: orchids Mediterranean bee orchids.
is a former plant scientist species, but not as hairy. produce a very large number of Orchids don’t stop there.
and a lifelong birdwatcher. My cynicism has its roots in tiny, wind-disseminated seeds, Several other factors may
You can sign up to her free the great divide between lumpers providing plenty of scope to contribute to their outstanding
monthly newsletter at and splitters: the tendency among spread large distances and grow ability to speciate, including
newscientist.com/wildwildlife taxonomists and natural historians in new places. having CAM metabolism, a form
to prefer either to classify similar Some of Dodson’s other of photosynthesis that enables
organisms as a single species or suggestions were later supported plants to accumulate carbon
to split them up into multiple by a 2015 study that used genetics dioxide at night and shut their
distinct ones. There are good pores during the day, which is
arguments in favour of each “Orchidaceae boasts beneficial in dry environments.
approach, but the orchid family, a staggering number We can probably also thank the
Penny’s week which may be the largest plant evolution of pollinia, highly
of species, including
What I’m reading family in the world, provides specialised little packets of
The Tree in My Garden, ample opportunity for splitting to
some of the most pollen that orchids position very
Kate Bradbury’s guide run wild. For example, depending beautiful flowers precisely on specific pollinators
to choosing and planting on your philosophy, there could in existence” to ensure targeted pollination.
the right tree for you be as many as 529 species of The end results of all this are
and for wildlife. orchid in Europe – or only 102. and fossils to probe orchids’ family some of the world’s most loved
Nevertheless, Orchidaceae tree and evolutionary history and flowers. Orchids seem unique in
What I’m watching is an extraordinary family and to identify physical innovations how they inspire such a devoted
Unsurprisingly, may account for a tenth of all that coincided with times of following: there are more than
Wild Isles, the BBC’s latest seed-producing plants. It boasts significant diversification. One 40 orchid societies in the UK alone.
wildlife documentary. a staggering number of species, of these was epiphytism, the The thrill of seeing orchids
The Eurasian hobbies at around 25,000, and includes tendency of many orchids to in the wild is very special indeed
catching dragonflies in some of the most beautiful, grow on trees. It could be that and you don’t need to travel to
flight were my favourite. startling and cunning flowers in the diversity of habitats provided the tropics to see them – there
existence. One member of this by tree branches and holes are about 200 species in North
What I’m working on family is Vanilla planifolia, the encouraged the evolution America and around 50 in the
A feature about source of vanilla, one of the of new species that were well UK. My first were bee orchids
rediscovering long-lost world’s favourite flavourings. adapted to these common and in Portugal’s Algarve region, but
species. Look out for it The huge number of orchid under-exploited surfaces. the common spotted orchids that
next month! species isn’t just the work of Another of Dodson’s I subsequently saw growing at Loch
splitters, it also reflects an suggestions that was borne out by Lomond in the UK, surrounded
incredible range of different the analysis was deceit pollination, by frogs, really spring to mind. In
forms. This can feel surprising – a practice employed by a large temperate northern hemisphere
we tend to think of orchids as number of orchids where they countries, orchids are beginning
delicate and rare, but they are mimic the mate of their specific to flower now. Do get out to see
also diverse and widespread. pollinator, both in appearance and them if you can, but be careful to
Why is this the case? through the release of compounds stick to paths, as it is easy to crush
Up next week: One person to ask this that make them smell like a orchids that haven’t flowered yet
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein question was orchidologist particular bee, for example. This is without ever realising. ❚

28 | New Scientist | 22 April 2023