The Macaronesian bird-flower element and its relation to bird and bee opportunists

Canarina canadensis, three Isoplexis species and Lotus berthelotii, among other species, have been supposed to be bird pollinated. None of their flowers reflect UV light and the volume of nectar produced is relatively high with low sugar concentration, indicating bird pollination. This study gives the first report of birds visiting and thus pollinating these species. Sylvia melanocephala, S. conspiciltata and Phylloscopus collybita visited I. canariensis and C. canariensis flowers. Isoplexis sceptrum and Digitalis obscura are regarded as transitional species anthecologically between I. canariensisj I. isabelliana and European Digitalis species.