10/08/2026
Pollinators?!!!
When you think of a pollinator, you most likely think of a bird or a honey bee, but this Protea subulifolia is one of the few rodent pollinated protea species. Unlike most Proteas, its flowers grow close to the ground making it convenient for mice and rats to access the nectar. Many rodent pollinated plants flower in winter when other food is scarce.
Grootbos Foundation Conservation Team set up camera traps to gather more information on the species and its pollinators. Over just two days, the camera trap photographed a vlei rat, striped grass mouse, and Brant's climbing mouse visiting the Protea subulifolia.
A female Malachite sunbird and a Cisticola were also photographed in action but are suspected to be non-pollinating visitors
