Roles of bees and flowers in European woodlands

A European woodland in spring - carpets of white and pink Corydalis flowers cover the woodland floor. The dainty upward-pointing flowers give out a sweet scent and are a popular attraction with bees. Most bees insert their probes deep into the tubular flowers to extract the nectar, and in return carry pollen from one flower to the next.

But there is one visitor, who does not play by the rules. The bumble bee bites through the base of the flowers, stealing the nectar without pollinating the plant. Sometimes the roles are reversed. The early purple orchid produces flowers that mimic those of Corydalis. It deposits a packet of pollen on the bee’s forehead, yet it has no nectar to offer in return. This orchid is a fraudster.