Ivy, dandelions and other common wildflowers are a crucial resource for pollinating insects

Ivy, Dandelions, and Other Common Wildflowers: Essential Resources for Pollinating Insects

Credit: Legonkov Vladimir/Shutterstock

Since the conclusion of World War II, factors such as intensified agriculture and urbanization have contributed to the decline in the prevalence of wildflowers in the UK. Over the past nine decades, the country has lost over 97% of its wildflower meadows. While planting more wildflowers may seem like an obvious solution, implementing this on a large scale proves challenging. The issue lies in the fact that many common British wildflowers are undervalued and even despised by the public, who consider them mere weeds. However, these flowers, including dandelions, clover, bramble, and ivy, play a crucial role in providing large amounts of pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Unfortunately, dandelions are often seen as nuisances in gardens, while brambles are disliked due to their thorns and vigorous growth. Even plants like ivy, with inconspicuous flowers, unjustly bear the misconception of being unhelpful to bees. Appreciating and promoting the existence of wildflowers like these not only enhances the food supply for bees and other pollinators, but also reconnects people with the diversity of plants and nature itself.

The Importance of Education

Education plays a central role in fostering acceptance and enjoyment of wildflowers in lawns, parks, roadsides, and fields. In the UK, there appears to be a lack of knowledge about plants, reflected in a phenomenon known as “plant blindness.” This phenomenon refers to an inability to notice or appreciate plants, distinguish between different species, or recognize their importance. One potential reason for negative attitudes toward native plants is the minimal knowledge of them. In a study conducted in 2005, it was found that a staggering 86% of UK A-level students could only name three or fewer common wildflowers. Furthermore, a 2017 poll commissioned by UK conservation charity Plantlife revealed that only 3.5% of British participants could correctly identify a red clover. These statistics clearly illustrate the disconnect between people and plants, which is far from ideal. Bees and other pollinating insects heavily rely on the presence of flowers, and the vast majority of life on Earth depends directly or indirectly on plants. Therefore, recognizing the importance of common native wildflowers is crucial.

Pollen Sources: The Role of Ivy

Ivy is a prevalent climbing plant found on walls, tree trunks, and hedges throughout various urban and rural areas in Britain. Frequently accused of strangling or parasitizing the trees it climbs, ivy faces misconceptions. Yet, the reality is far less sinister. During autumn, ivy blossoms and becomes the primary source of nectar and pollen for a wide range of insects, including honey bees, ivy bees, bumble bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and wasps. In fact, pollen analysis conducted in 2021 on honey bee hives in Sussex suggested that 90% of the collected autumn pollen comes from ivy. Ivy’s open flowers make its nectar and pollen accessible to all insects, including those with shorter tongues that may struggle with plants like lavender, which secrete nectar at the base of the flower tube and limit access to insects with longer tongues such as bumble bees and butterflies.

Another Valuable Resource: Bramble

Bramble, also known as blackberry, parallels ivy in its significance. It thrives in both urban and rural settings, and its open flowers provide nourishment to various insect species. Bramble’s blooming period extends from late May to autumn, ensuring a sustainable source of pollen throughout an extended period. Research involving pollen traps demonstrated that 31% of the pollen collected between late May and early August came from bramble. Therefore, bramble proves invaluable to pollinators.

Challenging Preconceptions: Weeds as Essential Contributors

Native wildflowers such as dandelions and white clover not only contribute to pollen and nectar supplies but are often found in lawns. However, these flowers are not always appreciated, with garden centers even selling herbicides to eliminate them as “weeds.” Interestingly, five native wildflower species in Britain are categorized as “injurious weeds” under official classification, making their presence on one’s land technically illegal. Ragwort, dock, and thistle species are examples of these plants, often found in road verges, fields, wastelands, and gardens. Surprisingly, recent research conducted in Sussex revealed that these so-called injurious weeds attract twice as many flower-visiting insects as wildflower species officially recommended as “good for pollinators.” Appreciating the value of local native wildflower species is essential in supporting pollinators and reconnecting with the wonders of plants and nature, offering psychological benefits.

A Shift in Perspective

To truly encourage appreciation and support for native wildflowers, it is necessary to shift people’s perspective. Instead of viewing lawns with wildflowers as unattractive or indicative of laziness, let us celebrate the benefits they bring. Enjoying existing wildflowers is both easier and more cost-effective than removing them using herbicides. Many of these underappreciated wildflowers already have popularity beyond their value as nectar and pollen sources. Blackberries, for instance, are widely consumed as a wild food in Britain, while the name “Ivy” holds sentimental value for some. It is crucial to recognize that local native wildflower species possessing pollinator-friendly flowers exist practically everywhere. Appreciating and supporting these species not only aids pollinators, but also provides psychological benefits by reconnecting us with the astounding wonders of plants and nature.

Provided by: The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Citation: Ivy, dandelions and other common wildflowers are a crucial resource for pollinating insects (2023, August 8) retrieved 9 August 2023 from https://phys.org/news/2023-08-ivy-dandelions-common-wildflowers-crucial.html

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