Macroptilium lathyroides UV

In visible light this is a very dark flower, but in UV lots of light is reflected, and seen here as yellowish and without any darker areas around the center of the flower which is where the insects should be directed if the plant is to be pollinated.

With this very unusual design I wonder what triggers the pollinator, and thus how evolution has arrived at this shape.

Last updated on 27 January 2015