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Black & White

The Great Angiosperm Conspiracy - Part II

So, see the white powder on the nose and head? And see that very tiny tube sticking out of the top of the flower? And see the loving embrace of the head by the two flat thingys?  All parts of the conspiracy! Trust me … read on ;-)

The white stuff is pollen. The thin tube is the pistil (female part with ovary). The flat thingys are the tops of stamen (male parts with pollen). Flowers first duped insects into doing their cross-pollination for them, and then got the bright idea to brings birds into it. Store a little nectar at the bottom of the flower to draw them in so a little pollen can be deposited on the head, and the next flower gets fertilized when pollen on the head touches the pistil as the bird goes for the next nectar reservoir. Oh, those poor exploited hummingbirds … it is so sad to watch … ;-)