Science a GoGo's Home Page Forums General Discussion General Science Discussion Forum Contortionist Orchid Fertilizes Itself

Chinese scientists have discovered an orchid that reproduces in an adverse climate by twisting its male sexual organ so that it can fertilise its female organ.

It is believed to be the first known case in the plant world.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1668836.htm

Incredible...

While there are many plants which are self pollinating, such as the legume family, this one actually choses which strategy to use.

Really? What factors are involved in the plant's *decision*?

Original Post:
".... in an adverse climate...."

Presumably the plant has some mechanism which responds to an advers climate by switching on the self pollination process.

It hardly seems controversial to call this a "choice" when comparing it with other plants which use only self pollination or cross pollination, but are unable to switch from one to the other.