POLLINATION IN THE GENUS ISOTRIA (ORCHIDACEAE)

Two closely related North American orchid species, Isotria verticillata and I. medeoloides, were studied with respect to breeding system biology and pollination dynamics. Marked differences in reproductive biology were revealed. The more common I. verticillata is xenogamous, being pollinated by solitary bees in the Andrenidae, Anthophoridae, and Halictidae. The inflorescence is fragrant, multicolored, and has pollination guides, thus possessing an obvious attractant system, even though it lacks nectaries. In contrast, I. medeoloides is self-pollinating, has light green flowers, and lacks pollination guides, nectaries, and odor. These two species also differ radically in population structure and reproductive efficiency.