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What are pollinators?

A pollinator is anything that helps fertilize plants through the transfer of pollen. Fertilized plants produce fruits and seeds. Over 80% of the world's flowering plants reproduce with the help of pollinators!

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Source: Pollinators. (n.d.). Retrieved April 22, 2020, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/

Watch this excerpt from the film

"Wings of Life" to see pollinators in action! 

Follow the flags on the map below to learn about our plants and their pollinators.

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"Rooster Flower"
Aristolochia labiata

This stinky plant is pollinated by flies! Carrion scented flowers trap and temporarily imprison flies, covering them with pollen before they are released.

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Source: Sakai, Shoko. (2002). Pollinators of Aristolochia spp. (Aristolochiaceae) breeding on decomposing flowers. American journal of botany. 89. 527-34. 10.3732/ajb.89.3.527. 

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"Plaintain"
Musa x paradisiaca

 

Many banana species are pollinated by birds, like this Long-billed Spiderhunter. 

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Source: Musa x paradisiaca . (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Musa+x+paradisiaca

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"Chinese Lantern"
Hibiscus schizopetalus

These exotic beauties attract birds, bees, and butterflies! 

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Source: Japanese lantern. (2019, April 16). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/plant-profiles/japanese-lantern

"Chinese Lantern"
Hibiscus schizopetalus
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"Darwin Orchid"
Angraecum sesquipedale 

This orchid is named after Charles Darwin, who hypothesized that its pollinator must have a long proboscis. Decades later, scientists discovered the Hawk Moth, which does indeed have a long proboscis! The relationship between the Darwin orchid and the Hawk Moth is considered to be an example of co-evolution. 

Watch the video above to see the Hawk Moth in action!

 

Source: Newman, J. H. (2020, January 30). Darwin's Star Orchid. Retrieved April 22, 2020, from https://www.nybg.org/blogs/plant-talk/2012/03/exhibit-news/darwins-garden/darwins-star-orchid/

"Darwin Orchid"
Angraecum sesquipedale 
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"Sensitive Plant"
Mimosa pudica 

Sensitive Plants are pollinated by a variety of insects, including the bumblebee pictured above. This ticklish beauty has a trick up her sleeve- she has the ability to shy away from pests!

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Source: Mimosa pudica. (2019, November 21). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/34202

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"Flamingo Plant"
Justicia carnea 

Flamingo plants attract hummingbirds,

like this Tawney-bellied Hermit! 

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Source: Justicia carnea. (2019). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://conservatoryofflowers.org/bloom/justicia-carnea/

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"Dragon Fruit"
Hylocereus undatus 

This night-blooming cactus is pollinated by moths and bats. Pollinated flowers produce yummy dragon fruits! 

 

 

 

 

Source: Hylocereus undatus. (2019, November 19). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/27317

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"Lollipop Flower"
Pachystachys lutea 

These shrimp-like flowers attract many pollinators, including the butterflies and hummingbirds shown above. 

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Source: Brantley, P. (2012, September 26). A Yellow Gem. Retrieved April 24, 2020, from https://ucanr.edu/blogs/USS/index.cfm?tagname=shrimp plant

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"Traveler's Tree"
Ravenala madagascariensis 

Traveler's Trees are pollinated by the world's largest pollinator, the Ruffed Lemur!

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Source: Unusual Animal Pollinators. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/animals/unusual.shtml

"Traveler's Tree"
Ravenala madagascariensis 
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"Angel's Trumpit"
Brugmansia hybrid

The Sword-billed hummingbird pollinates these beautifully-scented flowers!

 

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Source: Skeleton of Sword-billed Hummingbird. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from https://www.pugetsound.edu/academics/academic-resources/slater-museum/biodiversity-resources/birds/skeleton-of-sword-billed-hummi/​

"Angel's Trumpit"
Brugmansia hybrid

Copyright 2020 Williams Conservatory

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