Question

In the Kotukutuku plant, fuchsia excortiata, pollinated flowers turn colors from ________ to ________ in order to signal pollinators that nectar is no longer being produced.

1) red; yellow

2) red; green

3) green; red

4) green; yellow

5) green; white

Answer 1

The Kotukutuku plant, also known as fuchsia excorticata, changes flower colors from green to red to signal pollinators like bees and birds that nectar is no longer being produced. Therefore, the correct option is 3.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the Kotukutuku plant, specifically known as fuchsia excorticata, pollinated flowers signal to pollinators that nectar is no longer being produced by changing colors. This evolutionary adaptation serves as a communication means between plants and pollinators to increase efficiency in pollination. The color change in Kotukutuku happens from green to red. Pollinators such as bees and birds are attuned to these visual cues, enabling them to focus on flowers that are rich in nectar and thus requiring pollination. Once the flower is pollinated, the change to red tells pollinators to move on, preventing wasted energy on both the pollinator's and the plant's side.