Pungent aromas and beautiful aesthetics, such as those displayed by this day lily (Hemerocallis), are a flower’s way of declaring to the insect world that it is fertile, healthy and oozing with nectar.

Bees and other animals on the quest for nectar will feed on these flowers and in doing so, transfer pollen from one flower to another. These are called pollinators.

Common pollinators include birds, bees, wasps, hoverflies and small mammals, such as bats or possums. Wind and water can also transfer pollen from one plant to the reproductive organs of another.

The petals of this deceptive orchid appear spectacularly polished, which gives the flower its name – the enamel orchid. The shiny petals lure in pollinators looking for food, however this orchid produces no nectar. It has simply evolved to mimic the appearance of flowers that do.

Commonly called the donkey orchid (Diuris), this flower’s appearance mimics a native species of pea to attract pollinators, though in reality it has no nectar. Once fertilised, the donkey orchid produces a non-fleshy fruit containing 30-500 tiny seeds within weeks.

Australia’s kangaroo paw is perfectly shaped for pollination by birds. As a bird inserts its beak to feed on nectar inside the flower, pollen is brushed on its head. Different species of kangaroo paw are shaped to deposit pollen on different parts of the bird’s head, which avoids cross-fertilisation between different species.

The stamen of Eucalyptus macrocarpa resemble sperm cells when magnified. This isn’t far from the truth, as the tips of each filament are fertile with plant sperm, which is pollen.

Pollinators may collect pollen as a protein-rich food source, or come into direct contact with it in their search for nutritious nectar. Some pollinators have developed special relationships with particular flowers, for example, to access the long tubes of nectar in this Echinacea flower, long tongues are a great advantage.

This flying duck orchid (Caleana major) gives off a heady aroma, which is secreted from the lip in the form of a sexually alluring pheromone. When an insect lands on the orchid, the bloom drops down under its weight, dousing the insect in pollen.

An excellent pollinator, the hoverfly has adopted the appearance of dangerous insects like wasps and bees to deter predators. The hoverfly is distinguishable by its single pair of wings, where bees and wasps have two pairs, and by its ability to hover in one spot in the air.

Trigger plants such as this Stylidium contain a “spring-loaded” trigger column, which lies in wait beneath the flower. Insects unwittingly activate motor cells which bring the trigger column flying forward to thump insects on the back, so they will either deposit or collect pollen. The column is made up of both male and female flower parts.

Bumblebees have a different method of pollination from honeybees. When the bumblebee lands on a flower, it contracts its flight muscles rapidly to create a “buzz” effect. This buzzing shakes free the pollen from its tubes. Only about 8% of flowers are shaped to require buzz pollination. These include eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, flax lily, blueberries and cranberries.

Orchids are an incredibly diverse family of flowers which are specialised to lure in specific insects – many using trickery and mimicry. This warty hammer orchid (Drakaea livida), for example, emits the same pheromone as a female wasp. The scent attracts the male wasp, which is then propelled into pollen by the orchid’s hinged stalk.

Experts say the relationship between flowering plants and insects developed over 100 million years ago. During this time, specialised pollen “baskets” have evolved on the legs and bellies of bees, allowing them to visit many flowers before returning to the beehive.

Rhizanthella gardneri is a critically endangered underground orchid from Western Australia. Experts estimate there are just 50 individuals left in the wild. Tiny hunchback flies have been seen leaving the orchid with a pollen packet on their backs, which experts believe to be the orchid’s key pollinators.

The theory of pollination by small flies is also supported by the structure of the orchid. A narrow opening at the surface opens into an underground chamber filled with small flowers. This narrow entrance would keep larger insects out.

Here, a scientist acts as a human pollinator, studying the genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, a fierce reproducer which can make up to 10,000 seeds from each plant.