Post by shartmeyer on Dec 6, 2013 10:48:49 GMT
The stigma in flowers of Proboscidea is touch-sensitive. Triggered by visiting insects, the stigma lobes close within seconds. If no pollination took place they reopen after some minutes, ready for the next visit. After successful pollination the stigma lobes remain closed and the typical "Devil's claws" develop. This strategy avoids obviously self-pollination.
