The Desert is Listening
Species: Prairie Evening Primrose (Oenothera albicaulis)
Habitat: Desert and foothills in open sandy areas
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Public Land: Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Description: In one of the most enchanting discoveries about plants in recent times (of which there are many), scientists Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel at Tel Aviv University, along with Marine Veits at Tel Aviv University discovered that a related evening primrose (Oenothera drummondii) can actually “hear” the buzzing of nearby pollinators and promptly respond by enhancing the sweetness and volume of its nectar. Within just three minutes of detecting low-frequency vibrations—such as those generated by bee or hawk-moth wingbeats—the flower increases its nectar sugar concentration by about 20%, making itself more alluring to its next visitor. This remarkable adaptation works through the petals themselves, which vibrate like tiny sound-receiving membranes; if the flowers are enclosed in soundproof glass or have petals removed, the nectar response disappears. Biologists believe this rapid nectar boost is an energy-efficient strategy: instead of producing sweeter nectar constantly—which can be costly and vulnerable to robbers or microbes—the plant “sweetens on demand,” increasing its chances of successful pollination while conserving resources.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.
Species: Prairie Evening Primrose (Oenothera albicaulis)
Habitat: Desert and foothills in open sandy areas
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Public Land: Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Description: In one of the most enchanting discoveries about plants in recent times (of which there are many), scientists Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel at Tel Aviv University, along with Marine Veits at Tel Aviv University discovered that a related evening primrose (Oenothera drummondii) can actually “hear” the buzzing of nearby pollinators and promptly respond by enhancing the sweetness and volume of its nectar. Within just three minutes of detecting low-frequency vibrations—such as those generated by bee or hawk-moth wingbeats—the flower increases its nectar sugar concentration by about 20%, making itself more alluring to its next visitor. This remarkable adaptation works through the petals themselves, which vibrate like tiny sound-receiving membranes; if the flowers are enclosed in soundproof glass or have petals removed, the nectar response disappears. Biologists believe this rapid nectar boost is an energy-efficient strategy: instead of producing sweeter nectar constantly—which can be costly and vulnerable to robbers or microbes—the plant “sweetens on demand,” increasing its chances of successful pollination while conserving resources.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.
Species: Prairie Evening Primrose (Oenothera albicaulis)
Habitat: Desert and foothills in open sandy areas
Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico
Public Land: Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument
Description: In one of the most enchanting discoveries about plants in recent times (of which there are many), scientists Lilach Hadany and Yossi Yovel at Tel Aviv University, along with Marine Veits at Tel Aviv University discovered that a related evening primrose (Oenothera drummondii) can actually “hear” the buzzing of nearby pollinators and promptly respond by enhancing the sweetness and volume of its nectar. Within just three minutes of detecting low-frequency vibrations—such as those generated by bee or hawk-moth wingbeats—the flower increases its nectar sugar concentration by about 20%, making itself more alluring to its next visitor. This remarkable adaptation works through the petals themselves, which vibrate like tiny sound-receiving membranes; if the flowers are enclosed in soundproof glass or have petals removed, the nectar response disappears. Biologists believe this rapid nectar boost is an energy-efficient strategy: instead of producing sweeter nectar constantly—which can be costly and vulnerable to robbers or microbes—the plant “sweetens on demand,” increasing its chances of successful pollination while conserving resources.
Fine art print on acid free, 100% cotton, bright or warm white, textured surface, archival quality paper. For more about papers I use click here.