250123-Suetsugu-Stigmatodactylus-Flower (IMAGE)
Caption
The diminutive orchid Stigmatodactylus sikokianus was named in 1891 for the finger-like appendage on its stigma. Now, over 130 years later, Kobe University botanist SUETSUGU Kenji has discovered that this structure enables the plant to self-pollinate when insects fail to transfer pollen from another plant.
Credit
IKEDA Tetsuro
Usage Restrictions
Credit must be given to the creator.
License
CC BY