Gilliesii graminea - an orchid wannabe

[toddybear]

Thought I'd share this bizarre bulb I grew from seed. It was suppose to be a Notholirion but here are the blooms. Took a while to figure out what it really was. Turns out, it is one of the few non-orchids to employ insect mimicry to attract pollinators. The center looks surprisingly spider-like!

 

[smartie2000]

cool and thanks! It's amazing how much this flower resembles a insect

 

[SlipperFan]

Interesting flower, Todd -- thanks.

 

[KyushuCalanthe]

Wow, that's a new one on me! The "insect" resembles a crab spider, at least to my eyes.

 

[Yoyo_Jo]

Very cool. Nice photo, natch.

 

[Jorch]

Fascinating flower for sure!! Thanks for sharing!:clap:

 

[Lanmark]

Cool! Onion family?

 

[Shiva]

Very much insect like. Very interesting.

 

[toddybear]

Yes, I think it's in the onion family. It is native to Chile.

 

[likespaphs]

neato!

 

[goldenrose]

:clap::clap::clap: That's fantastic! I love it!

 

[NYEric]

Very cool and interesting.

 

[cnycharles]

very interesting

 

[biothanasis]

I am amazed!!!! Where can I get a Gilliesia??? It is in my wish list from now on!!!!!!!!!!