From: "Cereoid+10"

rhiannon wrote in message
. com...
How does the structure of flower fertilized by bees enure it's survival?


Is that endure or insure?


Probably it is ensure. I am not sure if you could get coverage for a bee.
Depends on wether or not you can put up with it.

There are a lot of different structures that flowers use to attract bees. So
many that you can't really be very general about what a flower needs to have
for bee pollination.

Usually there is some sort of landing platform, also a reward. They tend to be
yellow in color. Pollen is generally sticky. Sometimes it is placed on specific
parts of the bee's body by the flower. There can also be scent to attract a
bee.

Unfortunately, exceptions practically outnumber the rules. You can't really get
into the head of a bee.

You can look at an individual flower and see how it is adapted to be pollinated
by bees. For instance, most flowers of the genus Opuntia are yellow or pink,
and point upward to make landing convenient. The stigma is longer than the
stamens, to prevent accidental self pollination. When a bee lands on the
flower, it lands on the middle, then burrows to the base of the stamens to get
a nectar reward. The stamens are sensitive to touch and move inward and down
when contacted, since the bee is in there looking for nectar, it tends to get a
lot of pollen all over it. To escape the clutches of the stamens, the bee exits
toward the petals, and takes off from there, also preventing self pollination.
After some period of time the stamens relax and it becomes possible for a bee
to burrow to the base again for more nectar. The bees can learn by the position
of the stamens if they are likely to get nectar and can avoid recently visited
flowers.

Compare that to the trapdoor of a snapdragon.

Sean



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