About Calceolaria uniflora Lam.
Calceolaria uniflora Lam., with the synonym Calceolaria darwinii, is commonly called Darwin's slipper. It is a perennial plant belonging to the genus Calceolaria, which is known as the slipperworts. This species is native to Tierra del Fuego in southern South America. It is a mountain plant that only grows up to 10 cm (4 in) tall. Its flowers combine the colors yellow, white, and brownish red. Calceolaria uniflora is an ornithophilic plant, and is pollinated by the least seedsnipe. The least seedsnipe feeds on the noticeable white floral appendage that grows on the flower's lower lip, which is high in sugars. While the seedsnipe pecks at this appendage, the flower's stigma and anthers tap the seedsnipe's head and back to distribute and receive pollen. This process ensures pollen is transferred to the next Calceolaria uniflora the seedsnipe visits.
