Abstract
MR. DARWIN, in his “Fertilisation of Orchids,” speaks of a Madagascar orchid (Angræcum sesquipedale) with nectaries 11½ inches long, and supposes that these plants must be fertilised by the efforts of huge moths, with probosces capable of such expansion, to obtain the last drops of the nectar which is secreted in the lower part of these whip-like nectaries. Can any of your readers tell me whether moths of such a size are known to inhabit Madagascar? They would probably be Sphingidæ of some kind, as no other moths would combine sufficient size and length of proboscis.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
FORBES, W. Fertilisation of Orchids. Nature 8, 121 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008121b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008121b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.