Pacific Northwest native plants and native cultivars part II: plant and pollinator traits.

ABSTRACT: The use of native plant cultivars in pollinator plantings is somewhat controversial. Although some cultivars originate from wild populations, others are bred for novel ornamental traits, which may have unintended impacts on floral rewards, such as nectar and pollen. It is unclear whether changes in floral displays and/or rewards may alter plant-pollinator relationships. We established an experimental garden of Pacific Northwest native plants and native cultivars to evaluate differences in their floral traits and bee communities. We used a combination of methodologies to quantify variation in plant traits that could influence pollinator foraging, including those associated with floral displays (eg petal color, corolla morphology) and floral rewards (pollen and nectar). We also measured chan

SUBMITTER: Hayes JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12716280 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature