Subj : ES Picture of the Day 31  2022
To   : All
From : Dan Richter
Date : Sun Jul 31 2022 12:01:22

 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Mature Snapdragon Flowers Remain Closed

   July 29, 2022

    Menashe_snapdragon1a

    Menashe_snapdragon2

   Photographer:  Menashe Davidson

   Summary Author: M enashe Davidson

   The time of flower opening marks the onset of a period in which
   pollinators are attracted by the flower sweetness, leading a  pollen
   removal and pollination. In many species the flowers are open
   permanently, whereby the opening period is terminated by a closure
   movement, or by petal withering or abscission. But there are few
   species, such as  snapdragons, where mature flowers stay closed.

   Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus, family Plantaginaceae) have a wide
   range of flower colors, and they’re easily grown in gardens. The
   snapdragon flowers are closed flowers (top photo) with two modified
   petals, described as lips, that essentially prevent honeybees from
   penetrating them. Note, however, that the flowers can be opened when
   they're pressed on their sides (bottom photo). Here we can see the
   inside of the flower, where there are four  stamens with white
   filaments surrounding a  pistil (green stalk).  Bumblebees, which
   are much bigger than honeybees, are the main pollinators for
   snapdragons because they’re larger size permits them to open the closed
   flowers. Photos taken in March 2022, from my home garden in Rishon
   LeZion, Israel.


   Rishon LeZion, Israel Coordinates 31.9730, 34.7925


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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

https://epod.usra.edu
 
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