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Pam Frankhauser
Explorations in Metal & Glass
The Bee Orchid
14k gold, diamond, sterling silver, copper, enamel, wood, wire
Flowers have evolved to tempt their pollinators with bright colors and sweet scents. There is one flower, Ophrys Apifera, the Bee Orchid, that has gone further. The Bee Orchid, tempts their solitary pollinator, the bee Euchre Longicornis, by producing flowers that closely resemble the female of the species in shape, color and velvety texture. It also emits allomones that mimic the scent of the female bee. The bee is filled with desire to reproduce with “her”. He lands and finds only pollen. Across the field he sees another “female bee” and takes off to try his luck with “her”. Alas, only pollen again. That sneaky flower is reproducing — not the bee.



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