Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Lukas.S on 23/07/2007 18:45:17

Title: the dark flower betwen whites one
Post by: Lukas.S on 23/07/2007 18:45:17

Why wild carrot Daucus carrota has dark point in the middle of the inflorescence. I hear somethink that is for attracting the birds. they think that is insect and attack the inflorescence. Carrot is pollinate this way. but i am sceptic about birds as pollinator in carrot example because she has fragrance and nectar for pollinators_insect. And why evolution favour this.

Title: the dark flower betwen whites one
Post by: JimBob on 25/07/2007 03:21:37

Hi Lucas Welcome!

Florescent in flowers has been linked to the pollination of the flowers by insects. This could possibly be the reason. Insects can see infrared - I don't think birds can.

Title: the dark flower betwen whites one
Post by: Lukas.S on 28/07/2007 20:49:29

Sorry. Bad explained by myself.
Please I would like to say that flowers in carrot are composed by umbel from small umbels of flowers and in the middle of the whole white colour umbel there is only one black flower. another flowers have white colloral. bird can see this dark point as they see the fly siting on the flower. they want to pick up this "fly" for lunch and by disturbing anthers ,like wind is working in catkins, pollinate carrot.
Has somebody really observed birds attacking the carrots flowers?... Or is this dark point only fashion for insect.