Since Darwin, long-spurred angraecoid orchids have been known for their fascinating evolutionary relationship with long-tongued hawkmoths (Sphingidae) on Madagascar. We studied the reproductive biology of the long-spurred endemic Jumellea stenophylla on Reunion. Despite the species exhibits flowers with the typical sphingophilous pollination syndrome (i.e. spur length averaged 137.9 mm, mean nectar volume was 6.1 µl, and nectar concentration was 10.7% sugar in sucrose equivalent), it does not require pollinators to achieve fruits. Compared with other hawkmoth-pollinated orchids, flower longevity was very short, lasting less than 5 days, and the species did not emit the characteristic strong and sweet scent at dusk. Fruit set ranged from 66.7 to 83.9% when pollinators were excluded, and 56–77.5% under natural conditions. Auto-pollination is a consequence of structural modifications. On Reunion, such breeding system is not rare within long-spurred species, and seems linked to the absence of specific pollinator during island colonization, and species establishment.