Isn't this similar to (or even identical) to cleistogamous flowering in some dicots ? eg our UK Wood Sorrel that rarely sets seed from the flowers in the spring but does from later flowers that never open. Some labiates do it as well and also I think some grasses. I am sure I have heard in the case of the Sorrel that there are no pollinators for the flowers in the UK so this strategy might be a "backup strategy" if no pollinating insect is available. The same lack of pollinators occurs with the Bee Orchid here - but luckily they have not given up flowering properly! Reply / forward from John Crellin http://www.floralwiki.co.uk/ the new bit of http://www.floralimages.co.uk/ -----Original Message----- From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of John T Lonsdale Sent: 02 February 2007 16:21 To: 'Pacific Bulb Society' Subject: Re: [pbs] A mystery solved, sort of - Sternbergia colchiciflora Jim,