epichile
plant anatomy
Quick Summary
The epichile, also known as an epichile or epichilium, is the terminal lobe of the labellum in some orchids. The labellum itself is a specialized petal that often serves as a landing platform for pollinators. In certain orchids, like the Coryanthes genus, the labellum is divided into three parts, with the epichile being the bucket-shaped uppermost section. This epichile can fill with water, forming a trap for visiting male euglossine bees, guiding them through a tunnel to exit, which facilitates pollination.1234
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
