Yes, there are flowers specifically adapted to attract hummingbirds! These flowers are called “hummingbird flowers” or “ornithophilous flowers”. Hummingbirds and certain ornithophilous flowers have coevolved together, developing unique adaptations that benefit both the birds and the plants.
Hummingbirds are drawn to flowers with certain traits, like vibrant colors, tubular shapes, abundant nectar, and minimal scent. In turn, the flowers are pollinated by the hummingbirds as they drink the nectar. This symbiotic relationship allows both the birds and plants to survive and reproduce.
What Makes a Flower a Hummingbird Flower?
Hummingbird flowers have evolved specific traits that appeal to hummingbirds, including:
Bright Colors
Hummingbirds can see colors in the ultraviolet spectrum, which humans cannot detect. Many hummingbird flowers have vivid colors that are highly visible to hummingbirds. Bold red, orange, pink, and purple blooms attract the birds’ attention.
| Hummingbird Flower | Flower Color |
|---|---|
| Trumpet Vine | Orange, red |
| Bee Balm | Red |
| Columbine | Yellow, red |
Tubular Shape
The tube-like shape of hummingbird flowers perfectly matches the long, slender beaks of hummingbirds. This allows the birds easy access to the nectar reward inside. Other pollinators without specialized beaks cannot reach the nectar.
Abundant Nectar
Hummingbird flowers produce large amounts of sugary nectar, which provides the main food source for hummingbirds. The nectar has a higher sugar concentration than that produced by insects-pollinated flowers.
Lack of Scent
Strong fragrances actually deter hummingbirds. These flowers do not need to attract pollinators with scent since their bright colors are enough to draw in hummingbirds from a distance.
Examples of Hummingbird Flowers
Many popular garden flowers are adapted for pollination by hummingbirds. Some examples include:
Fuchsia
The dazzling, hanging flower clusters of fuchsia are irresistible to hummingbirds. There are over 110 species of fuchsia, and most are native to Central and South America. The tubular flowers provide an easily accessible nectar reward.
Petunia
Petunias are classic garden flowers with trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of pink, purple, red, and white. Their nectar composition is adapted to the nutritional needs of hummingbirds. First cultivated in South America, petunias are now grown worldwide.
Lobelia
Also called cardinal flower, lobelia produces spikes of vivid red flowers loved by hummingbirds. There are over 400 species in this genus, mostly found in tropical and warm temperate regions. The scarlet blooms contrast beautifully with the green foliage.
Salvia
With nearly 1,000 species, salvia is a huge genus that includes many hummingbird favorites. The tubular flowers come in reds, oranges, purples, and pinks. Pineapple sage and scarlet sage are two popular hummingbird garden plants.
Canna
Cannas feature large, banana-like leaves and bright clusters of red, orange, or yellow blooms. Native to tropical regions, cannas grow well in gardens in warmer climates. Hummingbirds flock to their nectar-rich, open flowers.
| Hummingbird Flower | Native Region |
|---|---|
| Fuchsia | Central & South America |
| Petunia | South America |
| Lobelia | Tropical & temperate regions |
| Salvia | Americas, Eurasia, Africa |
| Canna | Tropical regions |
Wild Hummingbird Flowers
In natural environments, hummingbirds have coevolved with native wildflowers. Some examples of wild hummingbird flowers include:
Indian Paintbrush
Widespread across North America, Indian paintbrush bears bright red flowers with a brush-tipped appearance. Hummingbirds rely heavily on these flowers in many western ecosystems.
Firecracker Plant
With vibrant red-orange, tubular blooms, firecracker plant is a hummingbird magnet. It is native to the tropical mountains of Mexico and Central America.
Cardinal Flower
No relation to the bird, cardinal flower produces spiky red blooms that draw in hummingbirds across eastern North America. It grows naturally along stream banks and marshy areas.
Desert Honeysuckle
This aptly named red-flowered native of the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico provides important sustenance for migrating hummingbirds.
Coral Honeysuckle
Hummingbirds flock to the bright red-orange, coral-shaped flowers of this vine native to the eastern and southern United States.
| Wild Hummingbird Flower | Native Region |
|---|---|
| Indian Paintbrush | North America |
| Firecracker Plant | Mexico & Central America |
| Cardinal Flower | Eastern North America |
| Desert Honeysuckle | Southwestern U.S. & Mexico |
| Coral Honeysuckle | Eastern & Southern U.S. |
Why Do Hummingbirds Pollinate These Flowers?
The relationship between hummingbirds and their preferred flowers is an excellent example of coevolution between species. Here’s why these birds are drawn to certain flowers:
Energy-Rich Nectar
Hummingbirds have very high metabolisms and require a lot of energy. The nectar from specialized hummingbird flowers provides vital sustenance in the form of sugars.
Convenient Shape
The slender, pointed beaks of hummingbirds perfectly match the long, tubular shape of these flowers. This makes it easy for the birds to access the nectar.
Lack of Fragrance
Many flowers rely on scent to attract insect pollinators. Hummingbirds have very little sense of smell, so strongly perfumed flowers actually deter them.
Coevolution
Hummingbirds and certain flowers have evolved together over time. The birds developed traits to take advantage of the flowers, while the flowers adapted to best appeal to hummingbirds as pollinators. This is a classic example of coevolution between species.
Why Do Flowers Rely on Hummingbirds?
The fragrance-free, tubular flowers specially adapted to hummingbirds rely exclusively on these birds for their survival and reproduction. Here’s why hummingbirds are so important:
Precision Pollinators
Hummingbirds can hover in place and precisely access the nectar hidden deep within these flowers. As they drink the nectar, pollen sticks to their heads and throats to be transferred to the next flower.
Long Distance Travel
Hummingbirds cover large territories and long migration routes each year. This allows them to transfer pollen across great distances, facilitating gene flow between populations of plants.
Repeated Visits
Hummingbirds feed every 10-15 minutes and repeatedly return to reliable nectar sources. This consistent visitation ensures regular pollination.
Lack of Other Pollinators
By eliminating scent, hummingbird flowers have essentially specialized themselves to only attract hummingbird pollinators. They do not provide incentives for other insects or animals.
The Importance of the Relationship
Hummingbirds and ornithophilous flowers clearly demonstrate the intricate connections between species in nature. These plants rely entirely upon visits from hummingbirds for their reproduction and genetic diversity. At the same time, hummingbirds get essential food in the form of sugary nectar from these flowers. If either species were to disappear, the other would struggle to survive. This mutualistic relationship is an important example of the delicate interconnectivity of living organisms. It also demonstrates the remarkable capacity for adaptation through coevolution. Beyond biology, these vibrantly colored, delicately shaped flowers and the swiftly darting, iridescent hummingbirds they attract add immeasurable beauty to the natural world. Their interdependency sustains both parties while enchanting human observers. This unique relationship continues to evolve and endure, to the benefit of all.
Conclusion
There are absolutely flowers specifically adapted to suit the requirements of foraging hummingbirds. Examples include fuchsia, petunia, salvia, and other tubular, colorful, nectar-rich blooms. Wild varieties of these specialized hummingbird flowers have coevolved alongside hummingbirds over time. The birds rely on the plentiful nectar provided by the flowers for energy, while the plants in turn depend completely on the hummingbirds for pollination. This mutualistic symbiotic relationship demonstrates the intricate bonds connecting living things in nature, and the remarkable resilience produced by these ecological partnerships. So in summary, yes, there is definitely such a thing as a true “hummingbird flower”!
