Identification and Comparison of the Pollinators for the Purple-fringed Orchids Platanthera psycodes and P. grandiflora
Evans J. 2006. Identification and Comparison of the Pollinators for the Purple-fringed Orchids Platanthera psycodes and P. grandiflora. University of Tennessee
The pollination ecologies of the two purple-fringed orchids, Platanthera psycodes and P. grandiflora, are compared to test the prediction that, despite an extraordinary similarity in appearance, internal differences in the position and shape of fertile structures contributes to a distinct difference in their respective pollination ecologies. Field observations and experiments conducted during the 2003 flowering season in Great Smoky Mountains National Park revealed a number of effective pollen vectors not previously documented for P. psycodes. In contrast, the single small population of P. grandiflora experienced complete pollination failure during the 2003 flowering season. Preliminary results suggest that while Bombus spp. effectively pollinated P. psycodes, visitation by Bombus actually disrupted pollination among P. grandiflora.
- Type
- Academic
- Authors
- Evans, John Richard
- Date of Issue
- 2006-01-17
- Publisher
- University of Tennessee
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- Bombus, Fertile Structure, GRSM-00234, Pollen Vector, Pollination, Purple-fringed Orchid, thesis
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Terrestrial Complex