Pleur. tripterantha (cleistogamous)

[ronaldhanko]

Blooming for the first time with multiple spikes, only one flower opened - the rest simply formed seed pods without opening. I can't afford to give it space and will give it to anyone who wants to pay the cost of postage.

Orchids in Bloom: Specklinia tripterantha

[Tindomul]

I like how it looks in green! Very ghostly.

[RosieC]

What an interesting one. I didn't know it was possible for them to self pollinate without opening the flower.

[ronaldhanko]

There are other orchids that do this, Rosie, though I can't think of any at the moment. Some of our terrestrial orchids here are also cleistogamous, but they do usually open their flowers.

[WhiteRabbit]

very cool! too bad more of the buds didn't open

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

There are other orchids that do this, Rosie, though I can't think of any at the moment. Some of our terrestrial orchid here are also cleistogamous, but they do usually open their flowers.

I heard of one that actually bent it's polinia around to pollinate itself, it was discovered a few years ago and was thought to be pretty unusual. I didn't realise any could do it without opening the flowers though.

Quite cool, even if it means you don't get to see the flowers

[ronaldhanko]

Appreciate your looking and commenting Sonya and Rosie.