India Birthwort relies on small insects like flies and ants for pollination. Its flowers are brightly colored and emit a rotting odour to attract pollinators into the perianth tube. The tube’s interior is lined with retroactive stiff hairs, the small insects can only slip deeper into the tube following the direction of the hairs, eventually reaching the stamens and pistil.

Since these small insects are crucial pollinators, the plant secretes nectar in the tube to keep them alive. After successful pollination, the stiff hairs begin to wither, allowing the insects to escape with pollen attached to their bodies, continuing the pollination process.

Indian Birthwort is a larval food plant for the two protected species of birdwing butterflies in Hong Kong, as well as Common Rose and Chinese Windmill. As a result, the plant itself is also legally protected.