Seed ripening is also very quick. All the species need 60 to 70 days to produce around 600.000 seeds. Extrafloral nectaries attract the ants to the new shoots , the most vulnerable parts of the Coryanthes-plant. New shoots do not contain bitter tasting compounds which repel predators. In this way the aggressive, biting ants are positioned exactly where the plant is most in need of defence.
Reproduction is improved by the protection of the flower buds.
Nectaries on the outer side of the sepals are frequently visited by the symbiosis partners who defend their sugar source with a vehemence. In the last century Coryanthes were thought to be pollinated by hummingbirds. The pollination biologist Delpino designed a special type of pollination syndrome for this genus. Kolibris are known as visitors to the liquid filled buckets but are unable to reach pollinarium and stigma. Coryanthes species are pollinated exclusively by fragrance collecting male euglossine bees.