Pollinating Paradise

Ornate day geckos, indigenous to Mauritius, play among the scarlet blooms of the Trochetia boutoniana, also known as Boucle d'Oreille, the island’s endangered national flower. These shy, brightly colored creatures are beautiful to watch, animating tropical forests and gardens as they feed and bask in the sun. The Trochetia is one of the few flowers in the world to have colored nectar, especially to attract these little pollinators, which play a vital role in sustaining the island’s unique ecosystem. This quilt celebrates the fragile yet vital connection between gecko and blossom.