How Does Symbiosis Occur in Water Lilies?
Most water lilies depend on symbiotic relationships with insects for pollination--reproduction--and propagation, new growth. Most water lilies are not self-pollinators or wind-pollinated. The greatest example of water lily pollination symbiosis occurs between the giant water lily and beetles in the Amazonian rivers of South America, according to Katherine Festeryga and SeoYoun Kim with the Tree of Life Web project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Giant Water Lily and Amazonian Beetles
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The giant water lily grows in the shallow waters of the Amazon River basin and is native to Brazil, reports Festeryga and Kim. The leaves of this giant water lily can grow to 18 inches in diameter and support up to an incredible 300 pounds. These leaves float on the surface of the water, and the purple undersides include spines to support the leaf ribs.
Night Flowering
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The giant water lily flowers open at night, states Maggie Eisenberger with Save the Rainforest. The flowers generally open at dusk and close at dawn. This night flowering has resulted in the development of several other distinct adaptations that draw nocturnal Amazonian beetles to symbiotically pollinate the giant water lily.
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Fragrant Aromas and Generated Heat
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Giant water lily plants release a pleasant but strong scent beetles appreciate and are drawn to, according to Eisenberger. Giant water lily plants also produce heat that draws beetles, states Festeryga and Kim. The strong scent and warmth is necessary to attract the beetles at night, as the white color alone helps but is not enough during dark Amazonian evenings.
Beetle Entrapment
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Once attracted, the beetles enter the flower and feed on nectar while pollen clings to them. At dawn giant water lily flowers close and trap beetles within, reports Eisenberger. This entrapment ensures the beetle is coated with pollen before its release the following evening; it also ensures the flower is pollinated for future seed growth. Giant water lily plants only grow from seeds.
Changing Hues and Time Limitations
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Once pollinated, giant water lily flowers change color from white to a rich pink, reports Festeryga and Kim. Beetles then usually avoid pollinating the pink flowers, as the white flowers are more easily spotted at night. This symbiotic relationship occurs quickly, as giant water lily flowers bloom for only three days before withdrawing under the surface of the water to germinate seeds.
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References
- Photo Credit water lily image by Darren Nickerson from Fotolia.com
