The Parasitic Plant That Changes Its Perfume
Orobanche flava may steal from other plants underground, but above ground it uses changing floral scents to attract the insects it needs.
Victor H. D. Silva
43 posts
Victor is a biologist passionate about the processes that shape interactions between plants and pollinators. He is focused on understanding how urbanisation influences plant-pollinator interactions and how to make cities more pollinator-friendly.
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The Flower That Tells Pollinators to Move On
In Saxifraga fortunei, a yellow-to-red colour change in the pistil may tell hoverflies and honeybees which flowers are still worth visiting.
High in the Mountains, Every Degree Matters for Pollinators
Research from the Australian Alps reveals that some mountain flowers act as miniature solar heaters, providing pollinators with warm refuges when cold conditions would otherwise keep them grounded.
When Beetles Take the Lead in Orchid Romance
A rare South African orchid reveals that beetles can be refined partners in one of nature’s most intricate pollination systems.
What if a Flower Never Needed a Pollinator at All?
New research shows that one small mountain orchid secures reproduction before its flowers even open and may fare better selfing than crossing with its neighbours.
Rising From the Ashes with the Sunbirds
A study from South Africa reveals that plants that flower after fires are not taking a gamble but are relying on an unexpectedly resilient alliance with sunbirds.
Bogotá Through Butterfly Eyes
By tracking butterflies across urban parks, scientists uncover how city planning decisions influence not only which species survive, but how they live.
Anything Goes When You Live in a Crack
New research shows that the plants thriving in parking lots succeed not just because they are tough, but because they spread their pollen and seeds in many different ways.
When Tree-Friendly Ants Go Missing, Lions Change How They Hunt
An invasive ant disrupts a partnership between trees and insects, reshaping the way lions hunt zebras in Africa’s savanna
How Aging Flowers Boost Male Success
Flowers use subtle cues and steady resource release to maximise reproduction over their short lifespan.
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