The conical epidermal cells found on the petals of most Angiosperm species are so widespread that they have been used as markers of petal identity, but their function has only been analysed in recent years. Whitney et al. review the data on the roles of these cells in attracting pollinators and determine that conical cells influence flower colour, temperature, wettability and tactile properties, and so are likely to have different primary functions according to pollinator and habitat.
Pleasant or not, the fragrance of a flower typically serves as a sensory cue for pollinators, often indicative of some kind of reward, notably nectar. Floral scents are produced by specialised structures commonly...
Ophiocaryon is a lesser-known genus in Sabiaceae, hitherto without detailed floral study and with unknown pollination mechanisms. Thaowetsuwan et al. examined floral morphology and anatomy revealing several unusual...
This model predicts petal surface wettability by considering the additive effects of the geometries of the epidermal cells and the structured cuticle.
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William Salter