Freeloading orchid relies on mushrooms above and below ground

Date:

March 22, 2018

Source:

Kobe University

Summary:

The orchid species Gastrodia pubilabiata mimics rotting mushrooms or fermented fruit, and is pollinated by fruit flies who mistakenly lay their eggs in its flowers. If there are rotting mushrooms near the orchid, its pollination rate increases. As well as using mushrooms to attract insect pollinators, G. pubilabiata survives by absorbing nutrients from the fungal hyphae of mushrooms. This is the first time a plant has been discovered to depend on mushrooms both above and be

(A) This is Gastrodia pubilabiat flowers and the fruit fly pollinators. (B) flowers with eggs laid by fruit flies. (C) Fruit fly carrying G. pubilabiata pollen mass on the Mycena mushroom. (D) Fruit fly carrying G. pubilabiata pollen mass on fermented kaki fruit.

Credit: Kobe University