Lies And Obsession — Sex

Some orchids, like those in the genus Ophrys , practice sexual deception . They evolve to mimic the exact appearance and pheromones of female insects. Male bees and wasps become so convinced that they attempt to mate with the flower, accidentally picking up or depositing pollen in the process.

Many species use food deception . They signal the presence of nectar with bright colors or sweet scents but offer absolutely no reward. Pollinators visit multiple flowers in a desperate search for the promised food, effectively fertilizing the plant for free. Sex Lies and Obsession

These plants have evolved specialized traps and mechanisms that are almost unsettling in their efficiency: Some orchids, like those in the genus Ophrys