Odor‐guided bee pollinators of two endangered winter/early spring blooming orchids, <i>Cymbidium kanran</i> and <i>Cymbidium goeringii</i> , in Japan

Abstract

Abstract We detected the pollinators of two endangered orchid species, Cymbidium kanran and Cymbidium goeringii , in their natural habitats. Cymbidium kanran blooms in early winter and the fragrant nectarless flowers were exclusively visited and pollinated by workers of the Japanese honeybee ( Apis cerana japonica ). The pollination system seems deceptive and contrasts with the honeybee drone pollination system observed in Cymbidium floribundum . Cymbidium goeringii blooms in early spring, and the faintly fragrant, nectarless flowers were visited and pollinated by males of Anthophora plumipes villosula , suggesting that the labellar papillae of the orchid flowers may be a reward for the bees.