Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Buzz pollination, where some species of bees vibrate flowers to release pollen, is easily disrupted by rain. Sperotto et al. (2025) show that in the Neotropical clade Miconieae, small flowers often evolve acuminate "drip-tip" petals in humid regions and wet seasons. These petals, resembling leaf drip-tips, repeatedly arose across the phylogeny and are strongly associated with wetter habitats. By draining water away from reproductive organs, drip-tip petals may promote effective pollination, highlighting how floral evolution is shaped by both pollinator interactions and environmental pressures.
Source: Evolution
Author: Wendy A Valencia-Montoya
Institution: Harvard University
Language: English
Topic: Plant and animal studies
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416227885