In a message dated 9/21/08 6:00:29 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Kathy Barrett writes: "What's the purpose of the raised 'hooks' on the lips? At first I thought they encouraged at pollinator to come in to the center, but then I realized they were pointing in the 'wrong' direction, keeping insects out. Are they sticky, to trap insects at the column? Or have nectar on them as an attractant? Any discussion would be interesting." Judging from the close up pictures of two of the Arachnorchis, the flower appears to be offering pseudopollen in the form of yellow masses at the base of the lip. The curved "hooks" might serve to position the insect so it picks up pollinia as it backs out of the flower. Or perhaps irritates it so it jumps up into the column ;-). They might also be directional signals under UV light, or produce fragrance. Just speculation on my part. Though pseudopollen is a common attractant in orchids (like in some Cymbidiums, Laelias, Coelogynes, and Pleiones) , it usually is closer to the middle of the lip the base. Dennis One Additional thing on a totally different subject. I recently saw a cute Paph labeled as P. vejuarutianum. it looks to me like a natural (or primary) hybrid with charlesworthii in it. Googling it was worthless. Anyone know anything about this plant?
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