Sections Irapeana and Bifolia

Abstract

Cypripedium californicum is pollinated by Ceratina acantha. Its frequent visits might account for high levels of capsule set in this orchid, but the breeding system has yet to be studied, and the occurrence of autogamy or agamospermy cannot be ruled out. Other visitors include another halictid bee, Lasioglossum nigrescens, and a small syrphid fly, Sphegina occidentalis. Cypripedium guttatum is pollinated by small halictid bees of genus Lasioglossum in China, but none of the implicated bee species are present in North America. Although there are no studies on the pollination of C. yatabeanum, apparent introgression with C. guttatum indicates the existence of at least one common pollinator.