Pollination biology of Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume – An epiphytic ornamental orchid

Pollination in Orchidaceae is known to have co evolved with its pollinators and many orchids in the absence of their pollinators fail to set fruits, leading to the decline in number in the wild. In the present investigation, pollination biology of Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume was studied. Flowers of R. retusa as expected are entomophilous. These are visited by several insects including bees, butterflies and beetles, however, only Xylocopa sp. was found to be the potential pollinator of the species. Fruit set on manual pollination was quite higher than on open pollination. However, no fruit set was observed in bagged flowers. The species is thus self-compatible but, requires its specific pollinator for successful reproduction.