Master’s of Disguise: How Plants Dress Up for Pollinators

Masters of Disguise: How Plants Dress Up for Pollinators

Pollination is crucial for the survival and reproduction of most flowering plants. For this reason, many plants have evolved unique methods to attract pollinators. Plants manipulate their flower color, shape, scent, and other structures to attract specific pollinators. These adaptations are known as ‘pollinator syndrome.’   Flowers attracting bees are brightly colored in white, blue, or yellow and have a fresh scent. Bees are a diverse species that range in size and shape, and so do the flowers they pollinate. Asters, coneflowers, penstemon, bee balm, and poppies are all flowers pollinated by bees. A fascinating example of a flower appealing to bees is the bee orchid (Ophrys apifera). The bee orchid has petals shaped like a bee to attract bees looking for a mate. This petal also makes for a perfect landing pad while the bee attempts to mate with what they think is a hot date. In the process, they pick up pollen and move to the next “potential mate.”   Butterflies also enjoy brightly colored flowers, specifically those in red and purple tones. These flowers have a faint, fresh scent and have a landing platform. Tubular narrow flowers are also acceptable because butterflies can use their proboscis to sip nectar from the center. These tubular flowers usually sprout in clusters to provide a makeshift landing pad. Notable flowers that are pollinated by butterflies include columbines, goldenrods, and milkweed. Milkweed flowers are particularly attractive to Monarch butterflies. They use milkweed as a host for their caterpillars and visit the flowers as adults once blooming has finished for the year.

Similarly, moths prefer red, pink, white, and purple flowers. However, bright colors aren’t their style. They prefer flowers that are pale or dark-toned. Pale, fragrant flowers are perfect for nocturnal moths, while darker-toned flowers stand out to day-flying moths. Like butterflies, moths have a long proboscis to sip nectar, meaning they also seek tubular-shaped flowers.   Some flowers go to extremes to attract pollinators. The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanium), native to Sumatra, has the largest unbranched flower head in the animal kingdom and can grow up to twelve feet. When it blooms, it releases a putrid smell reminiscent of rotting flesh. Why? To attract flies and carrion beetles for pollination! Some flies are attracted to flowers with rancid scents, so naturally, they are fooled by the corpse flower’s scent. Pollinating beetles are usually attracted to dull green or white flowers with sturdy petals to protect from beetle mandibles. On the other hand, Carrion beetles feed on carcasses, and in their search for food, they inadvertently pick up pollen from the corpse flower. Corpse flowers bloom for two to three days and only every one or two years. Botanic gardens across the U.S. maintain these flowers in their collection to preserve their genetic material because there are only 1,000 corpse flowers in the wild. It’s no wonder they go to extreme lengths to attract pollinators!

Although flowers have developed interesting ways to attract pollinators, these rules aren’t set in stone. Many flowers attract all sorts of pollinators, and pollinators visit all kinds of flowers. Being aware of these distinctive adaptations can help us know how to attract specific pollinators and accommodate pollinators that share a space with us.  

Written by Celena Romero