Day 4 in our Aldabra Christmas Series! (4/4)

DEC 28 2025 · 18:07

Day 4 in our Aldabra Christmas Series! Today’s species is the Tropicbird Orchid (Angraecum eburneum), brought to you in collaboration with Seychellois scientist, @wendy_inthe_field with a love of orchids. 🪶 It’s Seychelles’ national flower, inspired by the tropicbird’s wings and tail. 🌿 This orchid can grow up to 2 metres tall! 🦋 The long spur where the nectar is stored, matches the tongue length of certain insects, this is known as ‘coevolution’, as whilst the insect feeds, their body brushes on the orchid and helps pollinate it. 👰‍♀️ It was included in Meghan Markle’s wedding silk tulle veil when she married Prince Harry in 2018.The veil featured 53 different embroidered flowers, each one representing a distinct member of the Commonwealth. In case you didn’t know, most tropical orchids don’t grow in the soil. They often live on trees or rocks, where they absorb nutrients from rain, dust and organic matter around them, and they get moisture from the air and rain.🌀 Stay tuned for a new species tomorrow! 📸 Image credit: @evileyelander 🎶 Song by @joe_samy_official / @s_chlochlo