Flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom

Flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Ecology, Environment & Conservation -- The mysterious flowers of Aspidistra elatior are found on the southern Japanese island of Kuroshima. Until recently, scientists thought that A. elatior has the most unusual pollination ecology among all flowering plants, being pollinated by slugs and amphipods. However, direct observation of their ecosystem has revealed that they are mainly pollinated by fungus gnats, probably thanks to their resemblance to mushrooms.

This discovery was made by Project Associate Professor SUETSUGU Kenji (Kobe University Graduate School of Science) and Senior Researcher SUEYOSHI Masahiro (Forest Zoology Group, Kyushu Research Center). The findings were published on November 14 in the online edition of Ecology.

Aspidistra elatior is a popular houseplant, known as the “cast iron plant” for its ability to withstand neglect. It can be found growing all over the world, but is indigenous …

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(2017-12-01), Flower attracts insects by pretending to be a mushroom, Ecology, Environment & Conservation, 206, ISSN: 1945-6506, BUTTER® ID: 014776718