Current LectureBiological Role of the FlowerFlowers produce the sex organs and sex cells for plantsThis is the place where pollination and fertilization occursPollination- the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flowerSelf pollinating flowers- plant can fertilize itselfCross pollination flowers- wind, water, and animals help to pollinate the flowerTwo Methods of Cross PollinationWindProduce tremendous amounts of pollen (expensive)Release the pollen into the air or waterWind pollinated species usually produce much more and much lighter pollenEfficiency rapidly falls of with distanceRely on chance and wind currents for that pollen to get to the right placeGet outside helpAnimalsAnimal Pollination – Key ConceptsCoevolution of flowers and pollinatorsThe reciprocal interaction of species as selective forces upon each other, resulting in adaptation that enhance their interdependencyMuch of the time this is a case of a mutualismBoth species benefit from the interactionThe plants “want” a pollinator to go to other flowers of the same species, not to flowers of other speciesPlants have evolved many ways to accomplish this—colors, shape, odor, etc. Plants advertise.Plants must reward or trick the animals into helping them get pollinatedAnimals can increase the efficiently of pollination, even for self pollinatorsPollination SyndromesA pollination syndrome is the set of traits associated with a give group of pollinatorsWhat’s attractive to one group (e.g. bees) is not necessarily what is attractive to another (e.g. birds)/These are LOOSE guidelines—plenty of crossover between groupsHummingbird Pollination SyndromeRed, tubular flowers, no landing pad, ample hidden nectar, and no fragranceBat Pollination SyndromeNight blooming, usually whit or light in colorOften open, bowl like flowersStrong, sweet fragranceLots of nectarFly Pollination SyndromeDark red or purple, no nectar and strong, putrid fragranceMoth Pollination SyndromeDeep, tubular flowersUsually white or pale in colorEvening or night bloomingStrong, sweet fragranceLots of nectarRelatively little pollenBee Pollination SyndromeYellow, blue, or white flowersAbundant nectarPleasant fragranceShallow, tubular flowersLanding padFlower EconomicsFlowers are also big businessUS fresh flowers sales exceed $35 billion per yearFlowers are ground throughout the world and shipped via airplane to marketPrices set at auction in the NetherlandsFlower Obsession: why?Flower Economics in the U.S.To 6 Fresh Flower Growing StatesCalifornia (77%), Washington (6%), Hawaii (4%), Florida (3%), Oregon (3%), New Jersey (3%)Dominated by five flower crops:RosesGladiolusPompon chrysanthemumsStandard chrysanthemumsCarnationsRoseThe most popular garden plant in the worldThe rose is the most economically important greenhouse cut flowerOver 20,000 cultivated varietiesEconomics of the Rose Market3 main “Cut flower holidays”Mother’s dayChristmasValentine’s dayCa. 200 million roses sold in the US aloneTypically accounts for 20-30% of a rose grower’s annual salesThe Valentine’s Day Rose Trek: The Good, the Bad, the UglyGrowerMassive amounts of resources requiredGrowing (pesticide, fuel)Storing (conditioning solution, electricity)Shipping (packaging, fuel)WholesalerImports or buys locallyShips to 60,000 florists/supermarketsFlorists/SupermarketsArrange, cull, and sellRose Economics in South AmericaFavorable growing conditionsLow labor costsFavorable trade policies= Columbia, Ecuador domination of North American cut rose marketFair Trade productsProblem: many crops imported form developing countries are produced in environmentally and socially un-sustainable ways:Traditional free market approaches reward the lowest costs of production.Small producers, workers do not share equally in profitsShort-term profits work against environmental sustainabilityFair trade organizations act as certifying agencies for good practicesLabor standards (minimum wage, child labor rules)Environmental standardsFair trade producers and cooperatives:Receive a price premium (ca. 10%) over non-fair trade producersSometimes an additional premium that goes directly to community development programs (education, health, etc).How is this paid for?Importers, distributers charge a premium for products labeled as Fair TradeAGRI 116 1nd Edition Lecture 12 Outline of Last Lecture I. OrchideliriumII. TulipmaniaOutline of Current Lecture II. Flower anatomy- pollination biology and pollination syndromesIII. Economics of cut flowers IV. International production and fair trade flowers Current LectureBiological Role of the Flower- Flowers produce the sex organs and sex cells for plants- This is the place where pollination and fertilization occurs Pollination- the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of a flower- Self pollinating flowers- plant can fertilize itself- Cross pollination flowers- wind, water, and animals help to pollinate the flower Two Methods of Cross Pollination- Windo Produce tremendous amounts of pollen (expensive)o Release the pollen into the air or water Wind pollinated species usually produce much more and much lighterpollen Efficiency rapidly falls of with distanceo Rely on chance and wind currents for that pollen to get to the right placeThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Get outside helpo Animals Animal Pollination – Key Concepts- Coevolution of flowers and pollinatorso The reciprocal interaction of species as selective forces upon each other, resulting in adaptation that enhance their interdependency- Much of the time this is a case of a mutualismo Both species benefit from the interaction- The plants “want” a pollinator to go to other flowers of the same species, not to flowers of other species- Plants have evolved many ways to accomplish this—colors, shape, odor, etc. Plants advertise.- Plants must reward or trick the animals into helping them get pollinated- Animals can increase the efficiently of pollination, even for self pollinators Pollination Syndromes- A pollination syndrome is the set of traits associated with a give group of pollinators- What’s attractive to one group (e.g. bees) is not necessarily what is attractive to another (e.g. birds)/- These are LOOSE guidelines—plenty of crossover between groups Hummingbird Pollination