Jeffrey B Harborne, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Published online: April 2001
DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0000909
When insects, bats, birds and other animals visit flowers to feed on the nectar and pollen, they usually pollinate the flowers in the process, so that both partners benefit from this mutualistic association. Secondary metabolites are involved primarily to provide either visual or olfactory attraction in terms of flower colour and flower scent. They may also be present in the nectar and pollen to interact with certain visitors.
Keywords: plant pollination; flower scent; flower pigments
| References | |
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| Further Reading | |
| book Bergstrom G (1978) "Role of volatile chemicals in Ophrys–pollinator interactions". In: Harborne JB (ed.) Biochemical Aspects of Plant and Animal Coevolution, pp. 207–232. London: Academic Press. | |
| book Harborne JB (1993) Introduction to Ecological Biochemistry, 4th edn. London: Academic Press. | |
| Kullenberg B and Bergström G (1975) Chemical communication between living organisms. Endeavour 30: 59–66. | |
| book Proctor M, Yeo P and Lack A (1996) The Natural History of Pollination. London: Harper Collins. | |
| book Real L (ed.) (1983) Pollination Biology. Orlando, FL: Academic Press. | |
| book Stanley G and Linskens HF (1979) Pollen: Biology, Biochemistry and Management. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. | |
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