Ask A Scientist General Science Archive

Author:     zuni
Text:       We are a fourth grade class at Zuni elementary School and we know 
why flowers have color.  We would like to know how and where flowers get their 
color?

Response #:  1 of 2
Author:      Robert Topper
Text:        Hi there! An interesting question.  I can only guess, but I have 
been told that it has to do with how flowers reproduce, or make more flowers.  
In order for flowers to reproduce, they must get pollen from other plants' 
flowers in order to help them make seeds.  By making brightly colored flowers, 
covering them with pollen, and putting some sugar or honey inside the flower, 
the coax birds, bees, and other insects to come and land on the flower.  As 
they eat the sugar, some pollen gets on their feet and wings.  When they go to 
another flower on another plant, some of the first plant's pollen rubs onto 
the new flower.  So, flowers have color because it tells insects and birds 
that there is something attractive (full of food) for them to come land on.  
And the flowers benefit from this by getting help in spreading their pollen 
around.  Great question!  Now you know about "the birds and the bees..."

Response #:  2 of 2
Author:      Mark Fernau
Text:        They have pigments in their petals...