TQ4792 16/04/2024 ©Brian Ecott

Plants such as Lesser Celandine use lined patterns and ultraviolet light to guide pollinators towards the middle of the flowerhead. Flowerheads can be thought of as miniature landing pads for flying insects. Flowers produce a sugary liquid called nectar which many insects consume. Nectar is made in glands known as nectaries usually located at the base of the stamens. A visiting insect brushing against the anthers will have pollen deposited on its body. As the insect travels from plant to plant it spreads the pollen and pollination occurs. Pollination is the process of transferring pollen grains from the male anther of a flower to a female stigma. Once a plant is pollinated it makes seeds that will produce the next generation. Pollination by insects is called Entomophily.