Field pansy
Each flower has nectar and its own runway for pollinating insects.
Photo: Jens H. Petersen
Photo: Jens H. Petersen
Field pansy has five petals of which the lower one serves as a landing strip for insects. The basal part of the petal is prolonged backwards into a so-called spur which contains nectar.
The landing strip with the yellow dot and dark stripes leads the insects into the flower. The entrance itself is blocked by hairs and by the yellow-greenish stigma so pollinating bees have to squeeze their way through to the nectar, and on their way they pollinate the flower.
The field pansy has a long flowering season; from early March to late October. Therefore, a field pansy is able to produce a huge number of seeds during a year, up to 25,000 pr. individual. This causes efficient dispersal and makes it a weed in agriculture.
The flowers are edible, and they can be used to decorate cakes and desserts. You can also freeze them in ice cubes.
Facts:
- Greenhouse location: The exhibition “Fabulous Flowers”
- Danish name: Ager-stedmoderblomst
- Latin name: Viola arvensis
- Family: The violet family / Violaceae
- Natural habitat: On cultivated fields