Jennifer

The Hummingbird and The Hibiscus

flat = = = **Introduction** =



The hummingbird is a species of bird that was given its name based on the sound its wings make when it flies. These birds may be very small in size but their still one of the best pollinators for many flowering plants. One of the flowers that it pollinates would be the hibiscus. The hibiscus and the hummingbird have a mutualistic relationship even though some researchers may argue that the relationship is more beneficial to only the hummingbird, essentially meaning that the hummingbird is basically robbing the plant. That may not always be the case because most times the rewards received by both parties is enough to consider their relationship mutualistic. = **Organisms involved** =



The hummingbird is a small bird that comes from the Trochilidae family. Its name originated from the sound that its wings make when it is in motion. These birds are generally found in North and South American, which is where it originated. These birds have the ability to fly backwards, forwards, upwards, downwards and they can hover. However, these hummingbirds do have a very short life span and mostly live a maximum of three to four years.They have a high sugar diet which is why the nectar is so important to the life. These birds are generally attracted to brightly colored flowers and plants.

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==== ==== The hibiscus flower is from the genus of the flowering plant family. It is native to warm temperature, subtropical,and tropical regions. It can be found in most gardens because the bright color varieties found in this plant species makes it a very attractive addition to any garden. Its bright red color is what attracts the hummingbird. That particular species of hibiscus is known by its nickname the China Rose. Some of the hibiscus flower species are edible and have been shown to have an impact on some medical conditions. This flower requires pollination to reproduce. However,t he hibiscus native to continental Asia does not produce any fruit or seeds. This shows that this species of flowering plants change genetically and physically based on their location. This could probably be due to the fact that its primary pollinator can not be found in the Asian countries. ====

= **Biological Interaction** =

One of the most notable symbiotic hummingbird relationships involves the Hibiscus flowers. The hibiscus benefits from the hummingbird because, when the hummingbird goes to collect the nectars from the plant, it picks up pollen from the hibiscus on its bill and/or body. The pollen from the bill and/or body is then transferred to another hibiscus flower when the hummingbird goes to collect more nectar. That new flower is pollinated in return. That is how the symbiotic relationship occurs between the hummingbird and the hibiscus flowers. This will continue on and on until the hummingbird has reached it nectar limit.

= **Impact/Importance** =

This symbiotic relationship is important today becuase many researchers believe that the hummingbird is essentially robbing the hibiscus of its nectar. These researchers emphasize that the hummingbird takes up too much nectar and that the reward the hummingbird gives in return does not match the amount of nectar lost.Another reason why this is important is because some species of the hibiscus flower are edible. The hibiscus flower is a primary ingredient in tea making and some of its species can be used as vegetables and included in jams. It has also been shown to be useful medically in China,so determining exactly what the pollinator is for the hibiscus could be important for the future studies. =Current Research=

==== There has not been much research on the interaction between the hibiscus and the hummingbird because science has already determined the main pollinator of the hibiscus flower to be the hummingbird. The studies that are going on now are studies that are done to determine whether or not the hummingbird is robbing the flower for nectar because of its nectar removing strategies. In that particular study,a wide range of pollinators were studied not just the hummingbird. They study the butterfly, bumble bee and fifteen other pollinators types and made comparisons between each. This could be used as research guide to determine which hibiscus pollinator is the most beneficial. Based on the shape and size of the hummingbird, it should proven to be the perfect pollinator for the flower. Another study done in 2004 showed that the hibiscus extract, //Hibiscus sabdariffa L.,// reduced high cholesterol. This study took place in China. The extract contains antioxidants that are known to reduce the dangerous build up of fats inside the arteries.This would support the fact that the hibiscus flower does have some medical advantages. These advantages should be enough to keep the hibiscus flower alive and growing, but to do that we first need to figure out if it has the best pollinator present. ==== =References=

Inouye, Joan E., and David W. "Are Nectar Rober Cheather or Mutalists." Print.

http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~jemaloof/manuscripts/Ecology.htm  RELATIVE POLLINATION EFFECTIVENESS OF FLORAL VISITORS OF PITCAIRNIA ANGUSTIFOLIA (BROMELIACEAE)1 JOSE´ J. FUMERO-CABA N2,3 AND ELVIA J. MELE´ NDEZ-ACKERMAN3,4 American Journal ofBotany 94(3): 419–424. 2007.
 * Hibiscus 'may reduce cholesterol’ BBC News **[]

Attracting Hummingbirds []

What Are the Adaptations of the Hibiscus Plant? [] ** Symbiosis: an introduction to biological associations ** By Surindar Paracer, Vernon Ahmadjian Hibiscus and nectar harvest by Melinda Chan.

http://www.besgroup.org/2007/11/18/hibiscus-and-nectar-harvest/

Page authored by Jennifer Okonta, student of Dr. Michelle Lum at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.