Gorse

I suspect that many University staff and students are not fully aware of the extent of the University Estate - for example - Whinney Hill. Here, it's gorse patch is in full bloom.

One of the pleasures to be had from a close encounter with gorse is the wonderful vanilla/coconut smell of the blossom. Another good reason to have a closer look is the flowers themselves. A member of the pea family, the flower structure is typical with a broad petal at the back and a sort of keeled structure in front which holds the reproductive parts of the flower (the male stamens which produce the pollen and the female stigma/style/ovary combination which produce the fruit.)

The flowers need a reasonably heavy insect to operate the pollination process. A bumblebee is ideal. As it lands on a flower and pushes its way in to reach the nectar reward (it's a con trick - there is none!), the bee's weight releases of a sort of trigger mechanism and the stamens spring up under the body of the bee and coat it with pollen. The bee then carries this off to the next flower and the pollination is done.

You can tell which flowers have been visited if you look closely. The left hand flower below remains untouched but the one on the right has been had. Try it with your finger next time you pass a gorse bush.