Monday, January 11, 2010

GREEN WORLD - DARWIN'S ORCHID






Darwin's orchid


When Darwin visited Madagascar during his voyage on the Beagle, he was intrigued by a large waxy white orchid with a nectar spur almost a foot long. How could such a flower be pollinated? He did not have the opportunity to find out by observation, but he guessed--correctly-- by an insect with a foot long proboscis. His theory was ridiculed. Twenty years later, a nocturnal moth was collected that had a wingspread of only 5-1/2 inches but a proboscis a foot lo ng . In honor of the fact that its existence had been predicted, it was named Xantophan morganii praedicta.




Xantophan morganii praedicta


10 comments:

Aaron Karl said...

Have you seen one, T2 Bay? Where is Madagascar?

Bay Martin said...

Not yet! Sa piktyur lang!

Unknown said...

A giant orchid and a giant moth. Very interesting ha!

Bay Martin said...

Very interesting indeed! This variety would be a welcome addition to my orchids collection.

Unknown said...

This is very interesting. Hope na makakita ako ng ganyan kalaking orchids. I love orchids!

Unknown said...

Ako rin! Pero di ko ipagpapalit ang mga orchids sa atin, lalo na ang Waling-Waling!

Nathan said...

Very interesting site, Mr. Bay!

Karlo said...

Pa-comment T2 Bay, bago piano practice.

How big is this orchid, T2?

Unknown said...

Working OT! Just take a short relaxation time.

I wish to get a good shot of this big orchid, too!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is great article! I wish to see this orchid one day!