There’s lots of fynbos to keep the bees busy this spring – so busy, in fact, that they’ll need a little help from their friends if they’re going to tick off all their pollinating duties. Did you know that along with bees and other insects, like flies, beetles, moths and butterflies, fynbos plants rely heavily on birds and mice for pollination?
You also get certain fynbos species that rely on very specific creatures and critters to get the job done. For example, at least 15 red-flowered fynbos plants, including the red disa (Disa uniflora), rely on the Mountain Pride (Meneris tulbaghia) butterfly. This big butterfly loves the colour red, to the point where it completely ignores all other flowers – and since its flight period coincides with the time these red flowering fynbos species’ start blooming, they’re a match made in heaven.
Read on for a closer look at the various pollinators within De Hoop Nature Reserve and the role they play in ensuring carpets of flourishing fynbos every year.
Sunbirds, like the Southern Double-collared or Orange-Breasted Sunbird, take a lead role in pollinating tubular flowers of the genus Erica. The shape of these flowers matches these birds’ bill structure, encouraging effective pollen transfer.
The oil-collecting bee (Rediviva) has exceptionally long forelegs – up to twice their body length. These forelegs are equipped with specialised hairs that allow the bees to effectively gather and transport floral oils from deep within the Diascia flowers’ spurs
Bees are also responsible for pollinating up to 80% of Erica fynbos species due to the flowers’ short, urn-like shape, which perfectly complements a bee’s anatomy.
Then you have those fynbos plants that are incredibly efficient and able to pollinate themselves. most of these are annuals and fast-growing post-fire colonisers. Self-pollination is more common in plants with a short lifespan or those growing in areas with few pollinators.
Some fynbos species even exhibit autogamy, a type of self-pollination where the flower’s own stamens bend over and deposit pollen directly onto the stigma. This is an example of a vital adaptation that ensures reproduction even when pollinators are scarce.
Come and see the fynbos in full bloom this spring, and spot their pollinators, when you stay with us at Morukuru Family De Hoop. From the fluttering butterflies to the curious monkey beetles, the proteas to the Ericas… the beauty of nature awaits.
You also get certain fynbos species that rely on very specific creatures and critters to get the job done. For example, at least 15 red-flowered fynbos plants, including the red disa (Disa uniflora), rely on the Mountain Pride (Meneris tulbaghia) butterfly. This big butterfly loves the colour red, to the point where it completely ignores all other flowers – and since its flight period coincides with the time these red flowering fynbos species’ start blooming, they’re a match made in heaven.
Read on for a closer look at the various pollinators within De Hoop Nature Reserve and the role they play in ensuring carpets of flourishing fynbos every year.
Monkey beetles
These little beetles can’t get enough of bright yellow, orange, and blue fynbos flowers (they actually physically can’t pass by a yellow flower without stopping for a visit) – and they have many adaptations that make them effective pollinators. For starters, their long, hairy legs help them cling to plants and collect plenty of pollen, distributing it as they move from flower to flower. They’re also drawn to the dark centres of various fynbos flowers because these centres mimic their own colouring. And flowers offer more than just food for these insects – they serve as social meeting places where they find mates. A lot of the pollen transfer highlighted above takes place during monkey beetle mating sessions.
Mice
There are a few low-growing fynbos plants (like proteas and some orchids) that have adapted to attract nocturnal pollinators like mice. Many of these plants have flowers with potent, sweet scents, making them easy to sniff out despite the darkness. For instance, various ground-hugging proteas emit a yeasty aroma that draws in rodents like striped mice and rock shrews. These mammals inadvertently transfer pollen from one flower to another as they enjoy their meals and their fur becomes lightly dusted with pollen, effectively facilitating cross-pollination.
Birds
Birds are arguably more important than bees when it comes fynbos pollination. Our feathered friends pollinate an estimated 430 fynbos species thanks to their love for the plants’ nectar-rich flowers. The Cape Sugarbird is a primary pollinator, visiting up to 300 protea flower heads daily during the autumn and winter months.
Sunbirds, like the Southern Double-collared or Orange-Breasted Sunbird, take a lead role in pollinating tubular flowers of the genus Erica. The shape of these flowers matches these birds’ bill structure, encouraging effective pollen transfer.
Bees
Like the other pollinators we’ve talked about, bees are attracted to the colours of fynbos flowers, and they’re especially fond of the pastels, including white and pale pink, blue, and yellow. They mainly collect the nectar and pollen from some flowers – but some bee species gather oil.
The oil-collecting bee (Rediviva) has exceptionally long forelegs – up to twice their body length. These forelegs are equipped with specialised hairs that allow the bees to effectively gather and transport floral oils from deep within the Diascia flowers’ spurs
Bees are also responsible for pollinating up to 80% of Erica fynbos species due to the flowers’ short, urn-like shape, which perfectly complements a bee’s anatomy.
Other pollination methods
Around 12% of fynbos plants rely on wind for pollination. These plants are usually monotypic (a genus that has only one species) and grow in dense stands to increase their chances of catching windborne pollen. Since they have no insects, birds, or animals to attract, wind-pollinated fynbos plants typically have less showy flowers, lacking colourful petals, nectar, and scent. Restios are all wind pollinated. Otherwise known as Cape reeds, 330 of the 480 Restio species found globally, are in the Cape Floristic Region.
Then you have those fynbos plants that are incredibly efficient and able to pollinate themselves. most of these are annuals and fast-growing post-fire colonisers. Self-pollination is more common in plants with a short lifespan or those growing in areas with few pollinators.
Some fynbos species even exhibit autogamy, a type of self-pollination where the flower’s own stamens bend over and deposit pollen directly onto the stigma. This is an example of a vital adaptation that ensures reproduction even when pollinators are scarce.
Come and see the fynbos in full bloom this spring, and spot their pollinators, when you stay with us at Morukuru Family De Hoop. From the fluttering butterflies to the curious monkey beetles, the proteas to the Ericas… the beauty of nature awaits.
