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Science
fromwww.theguardian.com
16 hours ago

Plantwatch: oldest known seed plants heat up for sex to attract pollinating insects

Cycads heat their reproductive cones to attract species-specific beetle pollinators using infrared-tuned antennae, with male cones warming earlier to ensure pollen transfer.
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fromwww.scientificamerican.com
2 months ago

Before Flowers Existed, Ancient Cycad Plants Lured Insects with Heat

The words pollination and flower may seem inseparable, but plants began courting insects millions of years before they evolved flashy petals. Now we know how they may have done it: not with dazzling color but with radiant heat. A study published today in Science reveals that cycads, tropical plants that resemble palms, attract beetles using infrared radiation generated by their conelike reproductive structures.
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