A look at the dune: the sand flowers and their pollinators
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22201/ceide.16076079e.2025.26.3.10Keywords:
floral scents, coastal dunes, parasitic plants, pollinatorsAbstract
Coastal dunes are dynamic and unique ecosystems that host a wide variety of life forms adapted to live in sandy environments, which often include rare and distinctive species. In Mexican coastal dunes, plants are particularly interesting due to their interactions with various groups of animals, like insects. One understudied and noteworthy group is parasitic plants, which are often considered harmful but actually contribute nutrients to the soil and have positive relationships with insects and other organisms. Here, we present some aspects of species from the Lennoaceae family, parasitic plants found in Mexican coastal dunes that have been relatively understudied compared to other parasitic plants. In particular, we focus on the importance of floral scents in attracting pollinators.
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