Invisible flower color can help ensure pollination and survival.

You can't see it, but various substances in flower petals create a "bull's eye" for pollinating insects, according to a Clemson University scientist whose study highlights chemical changes in flowers that help them respond to environmental changes, including potentially harmful climate change. Their survival.

Matthew H. Koski, assistant professor of biological sciences at the Clemson College of Science, led a team of researchers studying the bright yellow flowers of the Argentine Anserina, a member of the rose family commonly known as silver, to find out how pigmented in roses is. The petals are visible only in the ultraviolet spectrum, play an essential role in the plasticity of the plant; that is, its ability to react quickly to a changing environment. The team also included researchers Clemson Lindsay M. Finel, Elizabeth Leonard, and Nishant Tarail.

Evolution Magazine featured the results on the cover of the March issue.

Researchers have studied silvergrass, which grows at different elevations in southwestern Colorado, to better understand the role of various UV-absorbing chemicals in plant leaves and how these chemicals work to aid pollination and reproduction.

Koski explains that although humans cannot see UV patterns on flower petals, many of their pollinators can.

"I've always been fascinated by how [color variation in flowers] comes about and how it develops and what factors drive the development of color variation," says Koski. "Perception of color more often with flowers."

"Insects - like pollinators - see in the ultraviolet range," he continued. "Flowers that reflect or absorb ultraviolet wavelengths give (pollinators) a different perception of color that we cannot see. I'm interested to know what this UV signal can do in terms of pollination. When I think of an interesting feature of UV absorption, it is biochemistry. This is a biochemical feature that leads to a different perception of UV absorption and reflection."

Koski says plants have concentrations of UV-absorbing chemicals at the base of the petals, while the tips of the petals contain more chemicals that reflect UV rays. He says this creates a general "bull's eye" effect that encourages insects to seek out pollen.