entomophilous nectar elaiophores color vision nectar guides ultraviolet insects pollinators pollen bees nectaries
Plants cannot move from one location to another, thus many flowers have evolved to attract animals to transfer pollen between individuals in dispersed populations. Most commonly, flowers are insect-pollinated, known as entomophilous; literally "insect-loving" in Greek. To attract these insects flowers commonly have glands called nectaries on various parts that attract animals looking for nutritious nectar. Some flowers have glands called elaiophores, which produce oils rather than nectar. Birds and bees have color vision, enabling them to seek out colorful flowers. Some flowers have patterns, called nectar guides, that show pollinators where to look for nectar; they may be visible only under ultraviolet light, which is visible to bees and some other insects.
