Nectar and pollen

  • Most native trees have white or cream flowers which are easily seen from the air.
  • Flowers open and nectar forms early in the night especially in trees such as bloodwoods and turpentines.
  • Flying-foxes lick nectar and pollen from the flowers.
  • Nectar gives them energy and pollen provides protein.
  • Their tongues are well adapted to their mostly liquid diet.
  • Pollen grains stick to their fur and whiskers on their face.
  • Pollen carried on a flying-fox which is chased away from one tree is rubbed off onto the flowers of another flowering tree.