Pollination of Orchis caspia - a nectarless plant which deceives the pollinators of nectariferrous species from other plant families

Orchis caspia, which provides no reward for pollination, exploits inconsistency in the behaviour of several species of bees (Anthophora sp., Eucera clypeata, E. nigrifacies, Melecta mediterranea), the legitimate pollinators of some nectariferous species (Asphodelus microcarpus, Bellevalia flexuosa, Salvia fruticosa). The bees are deceived through their low ability to discriminate O. caspia from the nectariferous species. Orchis caspia shares pollinators with O. israelitica and this may lead to formation of hybrids between the 2 species. -from Author