Jumping Orchid (Noun)
Meaning
Orchid having both male and female flowers in the same raceme; when a sensitive projection at the base of the column of the male flower is touched the pollen is suddenly ejected.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The Dendrobium cuthbertsonii is an example of a jumping orchid that can propel its pollen onto a visiting insect.
- This type of mechanism allows the jumping orchid to fertilize more effectively.
- A species of the Dendrobium orchid has evolved to be a jumping orchid in order to better ensure fertilization.
- Botanists studying the behavior of jumping orchids note the delicate timing of pollen release required to be successful.
- Only when a certain level of vibration or pressure is detected will the jumping orchid trigger the sudden ejection of its pollen.