Bee pollination in the wild cornflower,Centaurea cyanus. This flower head is in fact made up of many lilac-coloured flowers. Petals around the edges are from large sterile flowers. Stamens in the centre are from fertile flowers; when brushed by a bee,these stamens release pollen. Centaurea cyanus is of eastern Mediterranean origin and has lived closely associated with human agriculture since neolithic times. It is now found worldwide among cereal crops,but is disappearing through the use of agricultural herbicides. Leonardo da Vinci once remarked upon the very pure colour of its petals | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Nuridsany, Claude / Perennou, Maria |
Taille de l’image : | 5062 px × 3526 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : |
|