Question

Orchid seeds are
A. Large and sticky
B. Small and hairy
C. Small and light
D. Large and heavy

Answer 1

Hint: .Orchids are native to rainforests, thus mode of seed dispersal will help with water, thus these seeds have to be lightweight.

Complete Answer:
- Orchid seeds are stored inside a pod-like structure, with no hair in them. They are small in size and very light weight.
- Their lightness of weight is due to the fact that these seeds do not have the potential to store any food reserves in the form of starch. On average an orchid seed weighs 0.004 mg.
- With no food reserve, the germination of orchids becomes a little tricky. It is a requirement that the place of germination should have fungus in the soil.
- When the dry seeds fall into the soil, mycorrhizal fungus enters the seeds. These fungal structures interact with the seed and help it in taking converting soil nutrients in usable forms.

Note: Mimicry: This trick is used by many varieties of orchid flower to attract insects without rewarding them with nectar. The lower lip of the orchid flower resembles that of a female wasp, thus the male wasps get attracted to it and helps in pollination. This phenomenon is called mimicry.