Floral AromaHow far will plants go to attract pollinators

TLDR: The fossil record is incomplete but shows that plants with flowerlike structures and insects capable of evolving into pollinators began their radiations at about the same time.

Abstract: relationships between plants and insect pollinators challenge biologists ross-pollination is the transfer of pollen from anthers where it is produced to a flower stigma on a different plant. The value of cross-pollination is that it promotes gene mixing and results in greater vigor in the offspring. Because crosspollination is riskier than self-pollination, flowering plants have evolved many ways of ensuring its success. Plants that let the wind carry their pollen indiscriminantly to distant ovules must produce copious amounts of pollen to correct for inaccuracy of delivery. These plants, however, need produce only small, inconspicuous flowers. Other plants use biological agents to deliver their pollen, but at a cost of advertising for and paying the agents. Floral aroma is one example of flower advertisement, and in some cases may even act as compensation for pollination services. Wind-pollinated flowers may not emit aromas, nor may bird-pollinated flowers that rely on vivid red colors, which appear black to many insects (Faegri and van der Pijl 1979, Heinrich 1979b, von Frisch 1967). The origin and function of floral aroma have been of recent interest. The fossil record is incomplete but shows that plants with flowerlike structures and insects capable of evolving into pollinators began their radiations at about the same time