pbs Digest, Vol 31, Issue 21

Dennis Szeszko dszeszko@gmail.com
Sat, 20 Aug 2005 12:35:52 PDT
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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