Comments on: Wildflower families: Plantaginaceae https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2025/06/wildflower-families-plantaginaceae/ Natural History Illustration - for books, magazines & packaging Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:27:02 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lizzie Harper https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2025/06/wildflower-families-plantaginaceae/#comment-10701 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 10:27:02 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=14482#comment-10701 In reply to Cartoon Coloring.

Thanks for this, I’d not heard about it before!

]]> By: Cartoon Coloring https://lizzieharper.co.uk/2025/06/wildflower-families-plantaginaceae/#comment-10681 Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:44:38 +0000 https://lizzieharper.co.uk/?p=14482#comment-10681 Some species in the Plantaginaceae—especially Linaria vulgaris (butter-and-eggs)—have flowers that act like tiny “fitness tests” for bees. The flower’s lip is tightly closed, and only strong bumblebees can push it open to reach the nectar. This means the plant selects its pollinators based on strength, rewarding only the insects robust enough to force entry. It’s basically a “bee-only gym door” built into a flower. 🐝💪🌼

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