An interesting feature of this genus is its pollination strategy. Although the sexual parts of the flowers are apparently normal, the anthers never shed pollen. If one tries to pollinate the flowers of an Uncarina, the usual method of using a small brush to transfer pollen doesn't work. Some years ago I was puzzling over this apparent block to pollination. I took another close look at the flower and suddenly realized how these plants are pollinated. I am a zoologist by training, not a botanist. Looking at the flower from the perspective of a zoologist it becomes apparent that the flower is not pollinated by bees, flies, or moths, but by beetles. There are several families of pollen eating beetles. Beetles are not as skillful fliers as are bees, moths, etc., therefore they need a good landing platform so they can feed without flying. The corolla limb of Uncarina is a perfect landing platform. Some even have nice "runway" markings such as stripes and dark floral tube markings. Remember that these flowers are oriented horizontally. The stigma has two lobes, one upright and one hanging down into the tube, partially blocking ingress. The beetle pushes past this stigma lobe to get to the anthers. Each anther has a lobe that hangs down into the floral tube. The beetle begins feeding on this lobe. As it bites into the lobe a slit pore above the lobe opens and pollen the consistency of toothpaste is deposited on the head and thorax of the beetle. When the beetle exits the flower the stigma lobe offers no resistance. As the beetle enters another flower and pushes past the lower stigma lobe the upper stigma lobe is moved down on top of the beetle and scrapes the pollen off. Pollination!

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