Elisabet O. Orville
Flowers and Their Adaptations to Various Pollinators
A Wind-pollinated flowers
grass flower x5
(figure available in print form)
plantain flowers x1
(figure available in print form)
male oak flowers x 1
(figure available in print form)
Characteristics of Wind-pollinated Flowers: Reduced or absent petals or sepals, no nectar or scent, stamens move freely in wind releasing dry powdery pollen grains, stigma is exposed and often feathery, male and female sex organs may be in separate flowers.
B.
Butterfly-pollinated flowers
Characteristics of Butterfly-pollinated flowers:
Bright colors, including red and orange, often deep corollas of spurs containing nectar, weak scent, contain a landing platform, open in the daytime.
(Bumblebees, with their long proboscis may often pollinate these flowers.)
petunia
x2
(figure available in print form)
C. Moth-pollinated flowers
Characteristics of moth-pollinated flowers: Pale, open at night heavy sweet ordor, no landing platform
honeysuckle
x3
(figure available in print form)
D.
Bee-pollinated flowers:
(either honeybee or bumblebee)
Characteristics of bee-pollinated flowers: Colors are usually blue, white or yellow. There are often nectar guides on the petals . Flowers have an open form and are often sweetly scented.
mountain laurel
x3
(figure available in print form)
buttercup
x3
(figure available in print form)
E. Bumblebee-pollinated flowers
:
butter and eggs
x 5
(figure available in print form)
snapdragon
x1
(figure available in print form)
Characteristics of bumblebee-pollinated flowers: It often requires strength to enter these flowers. Only a bumblebee is powerful enough to separate the upper and lower lips in order to reach the nectar of a snapdragon. The nectar may also be at the end of a long spur.
F.
Bird-pollinated flowers
Characteristics of Hummingbird-pollinated Flowers: These flowers are usually red or orange, although hummingbirds are attracted to other colors as well. There is usually abundant nectar which is often deeply hidden.
fuchsia
x1.5
(figure available in print form)