News Plants

Tropical plant knows whose bill is in its flowers

Choosy shrub takes pollen only when the right hummingbird comes calling

green hermit hummingbird

DESIRABLE DINER  A green hermit hummingbird has a long bill that can sip more nectar than other birds from the tropical plant Heliconia tortuosa, triggering the plant to start reproducing.

Matt Betts, Oregon State Univ.

By Kate Baggaley

- More than 2 years ago

Some plants crave a long bird bill.