I took another trip out to visit my site and marvel at the plant biodiversity present. The plants that are flowering now are different from those that were flowering in spring and the ones that will do so later on throughout the summer. This is important to pollinator species diversity in the ecosystem. Seasonal flowering helps to support diversity in pollinator species which also allows for pollination to take place for many months out of the year. Pollination is of course the first step in producing seeds and fruits which leads to the growth of plant offspring.
Why do we need biodiversity in pollinators? Diversity in pollinator species helps create stable ecosystems by increasing quality and amount of plant generations as well as aid in pest and disease control (Daniel Mutavi Katumo et al., 2022).
Let's Talk about a few plants I was able to identify:
Note that plant identification is not my best skill, haha, but I did try my best
Lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) - tolerant to drought, heat and humidity. All pollinator insects seem to love this plant.
Foxglove beard-tongue (Penstemon digitalis) - the long narrow shape of the plant is perfectly matched for pollinators such as butterflies, some bee species and hummingbirds.
Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) - this plant arrives early in the summer and provides nectar to pollinators before other plants start blooming.
Resouces:
Daniel Mutavi Katumo, Liang, H., Anne Christine Ochola, Lv, M., Wang, Q.-F., & Yang, C.-F. (2022). Pollinator diversity benefits natural and agricultural ecosystems, environmental health, and human welfare. 44(5), 429–435. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pld.2022.01.005
Ley, E. L., Buchmann, S., Kauffman, G., & McGuire, K. (n.d.). Central Appalachian Broadleaf Forest-Coniferous Forest-Meadow Province. The Pollinator PartnershipTM/North American Pollinator Protection Campaign.
Homepage | Pollinator.org. (2023). Pollinator.org. https://www.pollinator.org/
Coreopsis lanceolata (Lanceleaf Tickseed). (2023). Gardenia.net. https://www.gardenia.net/plant/coreopsis-lanceolata#:~:text=Their%20nectar%20and%20pollen%20attracts,wildflower%20gardens%2C%20prairies%20and%20meadows.
Franklin & Marshall – Foxglove Beardtongue - Penstemon digitalis. (2022). Fandm.edu.
https://www.fandm.edu/center-for-the-sustainable-environment/native-pollinators/a-guide-to-native-pollinators/native-pollinator-garden-guide/foxglove-beardtongue-penstemon-digitalis
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