Power of Plants: Pollinators
Pollination is when an animal moves pollen from the male anther of a flower to the female stigma of a flower. This helps to bring about fertilization of the ovules in the flower by the male gametes from the pollen grains.
Pollinators obtain food in the form of the energy-rich nectar and/or protein-rich pollen. In exchange, the pollinated flowers get a vehicle for pollen dispersal, in order to produce seeds.
Of the 1,400 crop plants grown around the world almost 80% require pollination by animals. Visits from bees and other pollinators also result in larger, more flavorful fruits and higher crop yields. Bees boost coffee production upto 40 percent.
Without pollinators, our plants would look and taste very bland! Try to imagine a world without apples, pears, carrots, grapes, coffee, and yes, even chocolate!
A Pollinator Trait or Syndrome is an animal's preference for distinct flower colors, shapes or scent. A gardener or scientist use these traits to help us predict which flowers will attract which pollinators.
Birds prefer red flowers, while flies like brown flowers. Bees aren't too picky as they like white, yellow, and purple flowers.
However some flowers don't open until night. The Saguaro Cactus will blossom at midnight. The only animal to stay up that late are bats! Bats are the key pollinator to keeping this plant reproducing generation after generation.
Watch the two replays on Instagram or Facebook to listen to the read aloud Flower Talk: How Plants Use Color to Communicate by author Sara Levine and learn about the above facts and a pop-out cactus craft.
Livestreams occur Tuesdays with Science Literacy Live and Thursdays with Science Facts + Crafts Live; both at 1:30 PM.
Pickup a Crystal Growing Cactus in the Science Shop which is also included in the At Home PLAY PAK: The Power of Plants.
Thank you for reading this Science Lesson Blog written by certified educator of Philanthrolab Science Shop Ms. Stacey The Science Lady. With over 12 years of teaching experience and creative Science curriculum development, her mission is to inspire children to have a love of Science. She is the owner of Philanthrolab Science Shop. An online shop of 50+ Fun & Affordable Science Toys - ALL $10 or LESS! Featuring The At Home Play Pak, Satchel of Science, and The DIY Sci Kit!
There is a Free Infographic at the bottom of the page with all the facts above!
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