How are poinsettias pollinated?

Answer 1

Yes, bees can help pollinate poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima).

Specifically, green bee members of the Halictidae family often visit poinsettias planted outdoors in Florida. The bees are drawn to the plant's color and scent. While sampling the plant's nectar, they pick up grains of pollen. The pollen stays on their bodies until dropping off at the next poinsettia visited. Bees thereby help pollinate the poinsettias that they visit.

Answer 2

By bees, birds, bugs and people poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) can be cross-pollinated.

Specifically, bees, birds, and bugs are attracted to the plant's bright color and its scent. Modified leaves called bracts grow between where the plant will flower and where the true leaves grow. Immediately surrounding where the flower will grow and bloom are the red-colored true bracts. They are born and die red in color. Below them are the transitional bracts that are born green and change to red by the time of the plant's bloom in December.

Pollinators such as bees, birds and bugs are drawn to the brightly colored bracts and therefore to the flower in the middle. As they sip on the nectar, they pick up pollen particles which then are dropped at the next poinsettia, which thereby is cross-pollinated.

Cross-pollination also can be achieved artificially by humans transferring the pollen from one plant to another.

Answer 3

Bees, birds, bugs and people can help pollinate poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima).

Specifically, green bees of the Halictidae family and moths of the Sphinx family (Sphingidae) appreciate the nectar of the plant's dainty, inconspicuous, yellow flowers. In addition to these natural pollinators, artificial pollination is an option. Many poinsettia gardeners grow by way of vegetative cuttings. But growing by seed can be carried out successfully too.

Answer 4

The plant itself and pollinators are options when poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) want to be pollinated.

Specifically, each poinsettia has both female and male organs on the plant. The male organs tend to be made up of five (5) pollen-producing flowers. The female organ is made up of the female flower that contains the eggs. The pollen can be moved by plant body parts from the male to the female. Or the pollen can be moved by way of such pollinators as bugs (the Ello Sphinx moth, Erinnyes ello) and green bee members of the Halicitidae family.