Title：
Complex floral traits shape pollinator attraction to flowering plants in
urban greenspaces
Authors：
Corresponding
Author：
Hui Wang, Nan Ran, Huiqian Jiang , Qianqian Wang, Min Ye , Peter A. Bowler, Xiaofang Jin, Zhongming Ye*
Pubyear：
2024
Title of
Journal：
Urban Forestry & Urban Greening
Paper
Code：
Volume：
91
Number：
Page：
128165
Others：
Classification：
Source：
Abstract：
Urban greenspaces are recognized as a benefit to pollinator conservation. Selective planting of attractive flow_x0002_ering plants can improve the conservation value of urban greenspaces. However, the functional traits of flowering plants that moderate pollinator preference merits further study. We analyzed 98 ornamental plants and
spontaneous plant species for ten categories of floral and plant traits across twelve parks or campus greenspaces
in Wuhan, a megacity located in central China. Our results revealed that: (1) Plant species vary enormously in
their pollinator visitation rate. (2) For Lepidoptera, the number of individuals to the plot was lower for disk/
bowl-shaped flowers than other flower shapes, and it was negatively corelated with corolla tube length. The
number of Diptera individuals to the plot was higher for white, red/pink and yellow/orange flowers than blue/
violet flowers. (3) Honeybees preferred exotic annual/biennial herbaceous species, with disk/bowl and flag
flowers. Solitary bees preferred horizontal, lip or flag flowers. Diptera most frequently visited upward-facing,
yellow/orange flower heads and Lepidoptera preferred horizontal, funnel-shaped flowers or flower heads.
Blue/violet flowers and a diverse floral orientation were preferred by most pollinator groups. We recommend
planting native woody plants (Nandina domestica, Thymus quinquecostatus, Lagerstroemia indica, and Tamarix
austromongolica) and attractive exotic plants (Centaurea cyanus, Borago officinalis, Portulaca grandiflora, and
Echinacea purpurea) to support multiple pollinator groups. As preferences differ among pollinators, increasing the
species richness of flowering plants is conducive to promote overall pollinator diversity.
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