Template:POTD/2020-10-18

Picture of the day

Trichoglottis atropurpurea, the dark purple trichoglottis, is a species of orchid endemic to the Philippines. Orchids have developed highly specialized pollination systems to achieve cross-fertilisation, insects often being visually attracted by the shape and colours of the lip, which guides them to the centre of the flower for their reward. The lip is actually the upper medial petal, but as the flower develops, its pedicel rotates through 180 degrees. This photograph of T. atropurpurea was taken at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City. The fleshy whitish structures visible on the left and behind are aerial roots that are able to collect nutrients from the surroundings.Photograph credit: Rhododendrites