Vigna vexillata anty bodies

The stamens and style of Vigna vexillata are typically enclosed beneath the two fused keel petals of the corolla. Nine of the ten stamens in every flower have their filaments fused in a tube, the tenth one is free. Wait till the insects get their feet onto these thrilling parts.

Ants are common visitors to these flowers. They don’t have to count anthers to be useful here. They don’t even have to know that they are useful. They come hungry. Generations of ants and these flowers interact in accordance with habits established longer ago than people can determine precisely in time and place. Ants are avid nectar consumers, participating in geitonogamy, a process by which pollination among different flowers on the same plant is achieved.

Bees and other flying insects are important as pollinators to Vigna flowers as well (Manning, 2009; Leistner, (Ed.), 2000; Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Germishuizen and Fabian, 1982; Letty, 1962; iNaturalist).