How the environment causes flowers to adapt

When you browse around for fresh flowers, you will notice just how many different types of blooms are available. Different flowering plants bloom under different conditions and at different times of the year. When you look at different flowers, you will notice several interesting differences developed to adapt according to their natural environments.

The objective of every plant is to survive through reproduction. The type of plant and its environment have helped determine the methods they use to achieve this goal. Many plants reproduce through the pollination of their flowers. These beautiful flowers will then turn to fruit or seed and this will result in the growth of new plants. In order to facilitate pollination, the flowers need to attract insects and animals. Birds that enjoy some sweet nectar as well as insects with the same appetite, will enjoy a sweet meal while pollen sticks to them. As they move from flower to flower, the pollen is transferred and pollination occurs.

In order to attract insects and animals, flowers bloom in the most wonderful colours and they also release a delightful scent. When birds, butterflies, and bees are in the area, they will undoubtedly find their way to the most attractive flowers in the area. That said, there are also some flowers that release spores into the air. This means that wind actually helps them reproduce. There are also some plants that release seeds after a fire. So, even though fires tend to destroy many plants, some actually rely on its destructive force!

Plants that rely on birds for pollination have also developed stronger bracts. This is because birds are heavier and, even if they don’t land on the plant, they can still weigh the flower down when they feast on its nectar. Some bracts are also strong enough to hold the weight of a small bird. One example is the bird of prey flower.

Plants that live in the desert, like cacti, have become extremely tough and resistant to hot and dry conditions. They hold plenty of water in order to ensure that the plant does not become dehydrated. In addition, their flowers are usually fairly small and they do not produce many blooms, but they are most definitely captivating and bright! Not to mention the spikes that cacti are known for! This is their greatest line of defense.

So, the next time you order flowers or receive a fresh bouquet, take a look at the different types of flowers and consider how they have adapted to ensure survival over the years.