Raindrops drive flower evolution

Matt Walker, Editor of Earth News for the BBC writes about how the humble raindrop may have played an important role in the evolution of flowers, scientists in China have discovered. A study of 80 species has revealed that flowers evolve different shapes and structures in part to prevent their pollen getting wet. Other flowers get round the problem by evolving waterproof pollen.

The finding may help explain why so many species in rainy areas either have droopy flowers or close their petals. Follow link for complete article at the BBC site>