Bee pollination frequency on Syringa vulgaris as a function of time of day, stigma height, and direction of the flower.

Abstract

A study of bee pollination frequency on the common lilac Syringa vulgaris as it relates to time of day (morning and afternoon), height of the flower stigma, and direction of the flower (north versus south) was conducted at 6324 Ringler Road, Pellston City, Emmet County, Michigan. Once the flowers bloomed, data were collected over a period of eight days from June 1 through June 8, 2002. For all three variables, there was a significant difference in the time and location of pollination, as bees seemed to prefer the high flower plot on the southern side of the lilac bush during the afternoon.