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Image Title: The African lily Massonia depressa (Hyacinthaceae) the First Monocotyledon Discovered to be Pollinated by Rodents
Image Credit: Steve Johnson, University of Natal, Anton Pauw, University of Cape Town, Department of Botany
AJB Editor: Karl Niklas, Cornell University
Intended End User: Teacher, Student
License Details: BSA - Terms for Image Use
Copyright held by: BSA,
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About the Image

A nocturnal rodent, Gerbilluris paeba, feeds on the copious amounts of jelly-like nectar produced by flowers of the African lily Massonia depressa (Hyacinthaceae). This lily, which has flowers situated at ground level, is the first monocotyledon discovered to be pollinated by rodents. The striking similarities between the flowers of M. depressa and those of unrelated rodent-pollinated Protea spp. (Proteaceae) provide strong support for the concept of convergent floral syndromes.

Link to the AJB Abstract for the article:

Rodent pollination in the African lily Massonia depressa (Hyacinthaceae)

National Science Foundation  Development Supported by the National Science Foundation