pbs Digest, Vol 31, Issue 21
John Bryan (Sun, 21 Aug 2005 09:13:50 PDT)

Dear Dennis:

Thank you for your e-mail, I would presume that subirds visit Crocosmia
in their native habitat. I find it surprising that not much has been
written about birds and bulb flowers in the USA. Cheers, John E. Bryan

Dennis Szeszko wrote:

John:

Here in Mexico there is one cormous plant that definitely attracts
hummingbirds...Bessera elegans. The flowers evolved to be pollinated
by hummingbirds and show various characteristics of hummingbird
pollinated flowers:

1) Pendant flowers
2) A relatively tall scape/inflorescence
3) Reddish coloration
4) Protruding stigma and anthers

I've never checked to see if Bessera elegans produces nectar, but I
would imagine that it does.

I've also seen hummingbirds visiting Crosomia hybrids, but this is
something totally unnatural because hummingbirds only inhabit the
western hemisphere, and Crocosmia is a South African genus. It took
human intervention to get these two together.

-Dennis

Dear All:

For quite a while now, I have had a lot of pleasure in watching birds at
the various bird feeders in my garden. I have noticed Humming Birds
visiting red hybrid Gladiolus, but have not seen (noticed) any birds
paying attention to flowers from other bulbs.

Have any of you noticed birds paying attention or attracted to other
flowering bulbs? I have not read nor found articles or mention about
this subject, but feel there must be some species that will attract
birds. Any comments? Cheers, John E. Bryan

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