Name: Julia Y.
Status: student
Age: 14
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 3/26/2004
Question:
Hi!
I have a question that I want to ask a scientist
Q: A flower bud is found to be hanging close to the ground, up-side down
which is very unusual. Often you would normally find them placed at such a
position that they are well exposed and open so pollinating agents can
easily visit. What is the reason for that?
Replies:
Different plant species have flowers in different positions for either
different pollinators, or different mechanisms of pollination such as wind
dispersal and so on. Pollinators vary from ants to bees, wasps, flies,
butterflies, moths, and so on. What type of flower are you asking about?
Anthony Brach Ph.D.
A flower in that position is probably not as unusual as you think, its just
that we don't often look for flowers that are somewhat hidden. Those flowers
typically attract ground dwelling or low flying insects like beetles and
flies, often by odor rather than color.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.
