Many flower species attract bees and other nectar-sucking insects at night with their vibrant colors by emitting sparkling luminescent light.
According to research conducted by scientists and reported in the specialized journal “Nature”, the “miraculous” flower Mirabilis jalapa blooms only in the late afternoon and emits light, albeit faintly, due to two pigments. The bright yellow pigment called Betaxanthin releases luminescent essential oil, while simultaneously, another purple pigment known as Betacyanin in the flower absorbs this luminescent light.
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Budgerigar |
From this, a luminous green color emerges on the leaves. Using luminescent essential oil to transmit signals is a rare phenomenon and has only been observed in a few animal species, such as the Budgerigar when selecting a “partner.” In plants, this phenomenon has not been clearly proven yet.
Researcher Francisca Garcia Mona from the University of Murcia in Spain believes: “This light can only entice bees or bats if they possess special sensory perception for green light.”
