Orthochilus not vinosus

These Orthochilus flowers, earlier thought to be called Orthochilus vinosus, and now without known specific name, do not open too widely. Still, there is space enough in the flower mouth, should insects (and maybe birds) wish to check whether these flowers have nectar. Few Orthochilus species produce nectar. Pollen they do have, otherwise no seeds can grow. But Orthochilus and Eulophia pollen is presented in waxy covered pollinia not accessible to insects, therefore providing them no food.

All that remains for such species to facilitate pollination, unless our unidentified orchid offers its pollinators a little nectar, is deception. Mimicking of the nectar and pollen delivery that is done by pollinator feeding flowers, is an old evolutionary trick widely played in the plant world. Such games are millions of years older than any human traders deceiving customers with stories and prices all sorts.

The hungry insect or bird is lured to do the pollen carting job, but no reward matches the successful execution of the plant's requirement. Other flower species offering food are close enough in space and appearance for the ruse to succeed. So, deception can be as innocent as growing a few colourful petals, nothing more. To think that people are copycats in this, no original masters of deception! Caveat emptor is a warning relevant as widely as there are needs fulfilled by other parties among all the living.   

Can the poor beasties be called foolish? Maybe not at first, when there was nobody to point fingers anyway, but as they keep on doing the same without fail, ultimately yes. Foolishness was once, long ago praised by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam in his essay, Moriae Encomium (In Praise of Folly). But Erasmus was really praising a wise friend, the heroic Thomas More (who died a martyr) and exposing self-deception and superstition among people, causing misery. Double entendre was even in those times a favourite among writers of satirical bent. So, why not involve the insects in these times of mass media mania?

Flowering of this plant happens in spring (Wikipedia; https://www.kew.org; www.orchidspecies.com; https://link.springer.com).