Bottle Gentian & Bumblebees
Bumblebees are nothing if not perseverant. Prying Bottle Gentian’s (Gentiana andrewsii) petals open is a monumental task, and one that few insects, other than large species of bumblebees, attempt — much less accomplish. The relationship of bumblebees and Bottle Gentian is an example of a mutualistic association — the bees benefit by having exclusive access to a bountiful and sugary nectar supply, and the plants benefit by attracting “loyal” pollinators that improve the chances for cross pollination.
Anybody know how to grow these? Seeds just never sprout and I won’t dig the few I see in the wild. *sigh* Beautiful flower, fun to watch the bees manhandling them. Lol!
September 19, 2012 at 1:02 am
Apparently, if you have a moist garden, they are relatively easy to grow (?) according to this site http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GEAN . Maybe it’s your seed source?
September 19, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Bumble bees are also very good at getting in and out of turtleheads. Sometimes they have to work hard at it.
http://pollinators.blogspot.com/2010/02/bumblebees-and-turtleheads.html
September 19, 2012 at 4:03 pm
Yes, I’ve noticed them disappearing into turtlehead flowers!
September 19, 2012 at 4:07 pm