The FINEST example of evolutionary traits being turned on, and then off, as a result of chemical sig

The FINEST example of evolutionary traits being turned on, and then off, as a result of chemical signals initiated by #pollination I have yet captured! . I will never cease talking about or being fascinated by the ability of #Polychilos #Phalaenopsis to recruit their #floral tissues to assist with #photosynthetic services following a successful pollination event. . That all floral tissues arose from modified #leaf tissue makes this not the biggest surprise, but in this subgenus, the reversion to “leaf” is quite convincingt. With the flush of chlorophyll, and thickening of the tepals/lip to actual leaf thickness, in person, this individual’s flower is nearly indistinguishable from the #leaves with which it spring forth. . I’m still seeking data as to HOW this occurs in Polychilos, and have spent several hours on Google to no avail. #sendhelp . #Asparagales #Orchidaceae #Epidendroideae #Vandeae #Aeridinae #PhalaenopsisPasasalamat #orchids #orchidbreeding #plantlife #plantdad #HouseofGreen #onlyplants (at Arlington, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CR2k6VcLlXS/?utm_medium=tumblr -- source link

More pics about