Summary of ‘Love & Lies’ (Miyuki & Irene)

Humans tend to think they are the top of evolution species, but the plants, especially, orchids have been alive longer than us because they have clever survival skills. As you know, the plants never moved and use tools such as knives and guns. However, they have acquired an ability like a ‘love’ trick to tempt higher creatures such as bees, moths, and also humans for a long time. In fact that's the conventional way that is usually done by almost every plant, regarding to spread their gene around. One of the cleverest plants that has a smart skill to attract insect is Orchid. Orchids have a very unique strategy like an ability of ‘lie’ such as mimicking insects’ form and discharging sweet fragrance because they need to be carried pollen by insects and spread it for propagation. Furthermore, their unique strategy can avoid incest that a species which are close blood relative do sexual act. The orchids have attracted humans with their beautiful colour and form. People try to crossbreed which means to produce new genotype of orchids. Now, orchids’ crossbreeding species exist more than originals’. Humans should recognize this situation and lean from orchids about smart survival skills and strategy.

Reference

Pollan, M. (2009). Love & Lies. National Geographic, 216(3), 100-121.