Name: The beautiful tricks of flowers
Uploaded: 2011-07-06T00:00:00Z
Duration: 13 min 31 s
Description: In this visually dazzling talk, Jonathan Drori shows the extraordinary ways flowering plants -- over a quarter million species -- have evolved to attract insects to spread their pollen: growing 'landing-strips' to guide the insects in, shining in ultraviolet, building elaborate traps, and even mimicking other insects in heat.

In this visually dazzling talk, Jonathan Drori shows the extraordinary ways flowering plants -- over a quarter million species -- have evolved to attract insects to spread their pollen: growing 'landing-strips' to guide the insects in, shining in ultraviolet, building elaborate traps, and even mimicking other insects in heat.

Jonathan Drori: The beautiful tricks of flowers

The beautiful tricks of flowers

Flowers' astonishing diversity, with over a quarter of a million species, is a testament to their evolutionary genius in pollination.

The philodendron selloum's unique thermoregulation, simulating mammalian metabolism, showcases plants' complex adaptations for reproduction.

Flowers deploy cunning strategies like ultraviolet 'landing strips' and insect mimicry to entice pollinators and ensure survival.