Angiosperm pollination syndromes - Conifer or Deciduous?

Angiosperm pollination syndromes
By Steve Baskauf
Department of Biological Sciences
Vanderbilt University

"Primative" flowers
The magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) is considered by taxonomists to be one of the least derived angiosperm families. The flowers are relatively simple with parts arranged in whorls and having a somewhat leaf-like appearance. There are no specialized morphological adaptations to exploit pollinators. Insects simply crawl around on the flowers looking for the nectar reward and become dusted by pollen if they crawl over the strap-like anthers. Relatively unintelligent insects like beetles can potentially act as pollinators of this group.

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