Five Things That Help a Plant Pollinate

Color

• The color of flowers are effective in attracting pollinators. Reds and purples attract hummingbirds and butterflies, and white flowers attract night-flying insects. Flowers with contrasting colors are more easily seen by many flying insects, and some flowers attract bees with ultraviolet cues that cannot be seen with the human eye.

Scent

• Flowers use scent to attract pollinators with limited sight, such as bats or night-flying insects, or to attract pollinators from a distance. Many produce a pheromone-like chemical similar to those used by insects to attract mates, and others mimic the smell of rotten meat or fecal matter to attract certain species of flies.

Shape

• The size and shape of the flower works to attract some pollinators. For example, bell or trumpet shaped flowers attract hummingbirds, and daisy-like flowers, which offer a flat surface for perching, attract butterflies. Small clusters attract bees and other flying insects.

Food Source

• Many flowers provide a source of food for hungry birds or bees. Sweet nectar is a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies, and pollen provides a food source for bees. Providing a source of food ensures repeated visits from hungry guests, who in turn pollinate the flower.

Wind

• Some plants are pollinated by the wind. These plants, such as many trees and grasses, produce an abundance of pollen that releases easily in the breeze. Pollen on the breeze falls on the stigma of the plant and pollinates it.