Orchids are renowned for their diversity of interesting and unusual floral forms and ecological interactions — and perhaps none are more interesting and unusual than the uniquely Australian Underground Orchids (Rhizanthella spp.). These plants have no leaves and flower under leaf litter, meaning they are very rarely seen and have only been recorded from a handful of locations across Australia. Due to this rarity, there has been relatively little scientific investigation of the genus - particularly the Eastern Australian species - and there are many things we do not know about their biology and natural history. 

In this seminar, I present my work to fill some of these gaps. I reveal the previously unknown pollinators and their specific behaviours at the flower leading to pollination. Using chromatography-mass spectrometry tools, I characterised the unusual volatile chemicals of the orchids that might be used to lure their pollinators below the leaf litter, as well as the compounds that may reward pollinators for their efforts. I discuss what these findings might indicate about why pollinators would seek out orchid flowers underground, and some potential conservation applications.