Passionflower

Passionflowers produce cyanogenic glycosides - toxins that release cyanide when damaged - to deter herbivores. But Heliconius butterflies evolved to not only tolerate these toxins but sequester them for their own defense. The butterflies became passionflower specialists, and the plants escalated with new defenses. This 70-million-year arms race produced some of the most baroque plant-insect relationships known.

Passionflowers counter butterfly attack through multiple mechanisms. Some species produce fake butterfly eggs on leaves - Heliconius females avoid laying on leaves that appear already occupied. Others vary leaf shape dramatically between individuals, making visual recognition difficult. Some produce extrafloral nectaries that attract ants who attack caterpillars. The plant deploys every defense available.

The arms race continues. Heliconius butterflies developed the ability to detect real versus fake eggs. Different Heliconius species specialize on different Passiflora species, creating a web of specific relationships. The conflict has driven diversification in both groups - more passionflower species, more Heliconius species, more sophisticated attack and defense.

The business insight is that competition drives innovation on both sides. Passionflower's defenses improved because Heliconius kept finding ways around them. The 'enemy' that overcomes your defenses forces you to develop new ones. Companies in intense competitive relationships often become more innovative than those without serious competitors. The arms race is exhausting but productive.