On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 17:04:56 -0400, "RPM1"
wrote:

Does anyone want to reveal the basic gist of the
article? Beyond that I guess I'll just never know
what remarkable brilliance the NY Slimes has to
offer.

First couple paragraphs below. The reason for no nectar was new to
me. Basically, if there is no nectar, the bee moves on so there is
less chance of self-fertilization.

"In the botanical world, orchids are famed not only for their great
beauty, but also for their powers of deceit, well established as the
liars and cheats of the plant kingdom, making false promises of food,
drink and even sex to the bees and other pollinators flying by.

Many orchids have a sweetly alluring fragrance but not a drop of the
expected nectar. Others look and smell just like female bees,
attracting male bees that try hopelessly to mate with the blossom."

deg