A Confidence Trickster of a Fungus

Fusarium xyrophilum is a fungus that has an unusual propagation method (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/17/plantwatch-fungus-creates-fake-fragrant-flowers-xyris-to-fool-bees). The fungus is found in Guyana (South America), where it infects Xyris grasses. When it infects, it stops the grass making its own flowers. It 'hijacks' the plant's reproductive system, creating fake 'flowers', made entirely of fungal material. The 'petals' of these structures, even have elements reflecting UV light (like the 'honey-guides'on flowers that attract insects to the 'nectary'). The false flowers even produce floral-like odours. Bees and other pollinators, arriving to collect nectar and pollen, become coated with fungal spores. The insects then fly off to infect other Xyris grasses. Ingenious but simply a product of evolution (this is not a cunning fungus planning world domination)!