Study on the frequency of ultraviolet (UV) light reflectance and absorption in native and nonnative flowering plants

Abstract

In addition to the floral shape and colors seen by the human eye, ultraviolet (UV) reflectance serves as a significant visual advertisement for pollinators of many blooming plant species. The interaction between flowers and pollinators is significantly influenced by plant UV patterns. It is common knowledge that many flowers have vacuolated pigments that are UV-absorbing in their petal cells. Nevertheless, the impact of UV reflection and absorption on pollinators to particular plant species hasn't been properly investigated. In this paper, the degree and pattern of UV light reflection in flowers of 240 plant species from 55 families were examined. Four levels of UV absorption and reflection were used to rank the flowers. While white and green flowers often reflect UV weakly, yellow and violet flowers have the highest likelihood of doing so. In general, pollination aids were nonreflective and independent of hue. UV reflection seems to be positively connected with flower size even though it is unrelated to floral symmetry. UV reflection is certainly present in all plant families; however, it seems to be more prevalent in some taxonomic groups. UV reflection and absorption appear to be influenced by the physical features and chemical make-up of the petals, just like other floral petals.