Neil Healdsburg — 1960 The Bucket Orchid

“Every orchid,” Ryan tells Neil “has a unique pollinator – it’s very own special kind of orchid bee. And every orchid has a different, weird, way to attract its pollinator.

“The Bucket Orchid secretes fragrant oil into its pouting, pail shaped lip. Male orchid bees use this perfume as a calling card, an invitation to females to join them in a courtship dance. The oil is more potent than oysters, rarer than Channel No. 5, sweeter than dark chocolate…at least to the bees. In their eagerness to collect the scent, males topple into the fluid-filled vessel.” Ryan bugs his eyes out, flailing his hands like tiny wings. Neil laughs.

“Struggling to escape, the bee finds that the lip is lined with smooth, downward-pointing hairs. They force him backward. They are impossible to climb. Just when hope is lost he discovers small, hairless knobs. The orchid has provided a ladder to freedom! The knobs lead to a spout. As the bee tries to squeeze through,”