![]() ![]() Tubular and cup-shaped flowers have an advantage in that they are able to protectively store a great deal more rich nectar and vital pollen than other flower types, as the fused petals of these long flowers protect the nectar and pollen so that more can be generated. ![]() They are able to collect nectar from other flower types as well, but mostly rely on tubular flowers that are also quite vividly colored, as these tend to hold the most (and richest) nectar. To elaborate further, the long, thin bills of hummingbirds have enabled them to be exceptionally good at pollinating long, tubular flowers or flowers that are somewhat cup-shaped. What Shape & Kind of Flowers Do Hummingbirds Like? Tubular or cup-shaped flowers hold more nectar, making them ideal for hummingbirds’ high energy needs. In this case, the hummingbirds get a dependable source of rich nectar to feed their swift metabolisms that many other pollinators cannot access, while the flowers get a surefire pollinator to help continue their genetic line while minimizing cross-pollination with other flower species. Co-evolution is defined as two or more species mutually affecting one another’s evolution, and typically benefitting each other in the process. Their evolution has occurred in tandem with that of the flowers that they rely on, and is a classic and prime example of co-evolution. The price they pay for all of this? They have incredibly fast metabolisms, and incredibly high energy needs as a result. In fact, hummingbirds are the only bird group capable of such incredible agility and maneuverability. Their beaks and tongues have, over approximately 22 million years, evolved to be long and thin while their bodies minimized greatly in size and their wings became highly specialized to allow them to beat incredibly fast while moving forward, backward, hovering, or even flying upside down. Hummingbirds, found only in the Americas, are incredibly unique and important pollinators that are specially adapted to harvest the nectar from very particular flowers. 1.3.12 12) Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) Hummingbirds have evolved to be able to harvest nectar from long, tubular flowers.
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