Liparia splendens restaurant sign

Although the conventional floral highlights, the corollas of Liparia splendens, haven’t yet shown themselves here, the sepal harbingers of bloomtime already splash colourful news for all to see. Flowers do not exist for the delight of a category of human aesthetes. They are there to attract those that can assist in the assignment of fertilisation for seed production.

Many insects, especially bees, see in the ultraviolet wavelength of light or electromagnetic radiation, a different range of colours working for them. What looks like a plain yellow or white corolla to humans may, under UV, present a high‑contrast target with conspicuous landing strips or bullseye patterns, directing pollinators to nectar.

The flower’s corolla is only one part of the variety of signals aiding incoming pollinator flights. Several other of the floral components also serve in securing insect or bird landings. These include the anthers, pollen, nectaries or the sepals as here. Bees may even detect warmth in flowers and become attracted (Manning, 2007; Mustart, et al, 1997; iNaturalist; https://www.sciencedaily.com; https://e360.yale.edu/digest).