![]() ![]() In fact, at a glance, it is hard to tell the difference. However, years and years of pulling this weed from the rice fields has selected for barnyard grass that looks very similar to rice seedlings. Barnyard grass looks similar to rice, but there are noticeable differences in colour and leaf shape. In traditional rice production in Asia, barnyard grass, an aggressive weed, was historically pulled out of rice paddies by hand. However, this plant does not produce nectar and so the leafcutter bee does not receive a reward from the deceptive orchid.Īnother example is a plant that has evolved to deceive humans. The purpose is to attract pollinating insects such as leafcutter bees. In this example there is an orchid that had evolved a colour and shape that is similar to a bell flower. ![]() One of the best examples in the natural world of one plant mimicking another is found in the area of pollination biology. Steve Shirtlife, a professor from the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan says that it is not uncommon for one plant to mimic another in order to create a deception. He asks:Īre there plants that mimic other plants in order to be more successful? This week's Question comes from Luc Josh in Edmonton.
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