Mellitophily is essentially pollination by bees. Bees play a crucial role in the reproduction of many flowering plants.
Characteristics of Bee-Pollinated Flowers
Flowers that rely on bees for pollination often exhibit specific characteristics to attract these vital pollinators:
- Color: They tend to be brightly colored, specifically yellow or blue. These colors are highly visible to bees.
- Ultraviolet Nectar Guides: Many mellitophilous flowers possess ultraviolet nectar guides. These are patterns invisible to the human eye but easily seen by bees, leading them directly to the nectar and pollen.
- Scent: A strong and often sweet scent is another common attractant.
Examples of Mellitophilous Plants
Many common plants rely on mellitophily for reproduction. Some examples include:
- Sunflowers
- Lavender
- Many types of fruit trees (apples, cherries, etc.)
In summary, mellitophily is a specialized form of pollination where bees are the primary agents responsible for transferring pollen from the male to the female parts of flowers, facilitating fertilization and seed production.
