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Inside a Fabiaceae Pea Flower

9/5/2023

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There are 29 Fabiaceae species in Foxes Lair and many others in the district. 
They all have five petals whose shape has evolved specifically for pollination by native bees.
  • The large top petal called a banner usually has a differently coloured 'bullseye patch' at its base, which attracts the bee to a nectar gland is. Because bees can see ultraviolet light, the bullseye patch stands out even more for them than for us. For more information see this paper.
Picture
  • ​Below this, two sideways- aligned petals called wings project out as a landing point, and cover the stamens and pistil.
  • Under the stamens and pistil is the keel, which consists of two petals, joined to form a boat - shaped base to stop insects getting at them for below.
This series of images shows the flower parts of a Daviesia as it was progessively dissected
Picture
There is a range of flower sizes, which would fit a number of pollinators, but they are all designed for the bee to land on the flower from the front. The bee's claws push the wings down  and the bee's abdomen contacts the pistil and stamens. Megachile bees have furry tummies, which then collect  pollen.
European honey bees don't play by the rules. They often steal nectar from the side of the flower. I recently saw honey bees chewing into Daviesia flowers before they had opened. The bees destroyed flowers and ate the pollen. With their overwhelming numbers, they reduce pollination and native bee numbers.
Picture
Megachile bee approaching from front
Picture
Megachile bee rubbing stomach on anthers
Picture
Honey bee stealing nectar
Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman) is an oddity, and one of the first plants to recolonise in the season following a bushfire.
The plant can form cluster roots  enables it to extract phosphorus from organic souces such as charcoal.
The large red flower is designed for bird pollination, presumably because birds colonise burnt areas before insects. Unlike other pea flowers,the wings don't cover the keel allowing a honeyeater to accurately place its beak  to get nectar and pollinate the flower.
Picture
Large red upright flowers
Picture
Stamens and pistil inside the keel
Picture
Rapid growth after fire
Here are some other local Fabeaceae.
Picture
Isotropis drummondii
Picture
Daviesia retusum
Picture
Gompholobium cyaninum
Picture
Gompholobium marginatum
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