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Article: THE TREE, THE BEE, AND THE AGOUTI: Have you ever munched a fat, crunchy Brazil nut? Brazil nuts come from sky-high trees in the Amazon rainforest. But they wouldn't even exist if it weren't for some big help from a couple of small friends!(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Ranger Rick
- Article date:
- March 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 National Wildlife Federation. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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This story begins at the top of a tall Brazil nut tree. There, pale yellow flowers burst open, advertising the nectar inside. A tiny bee--not just any bee but a certain orchid (OR-kid) bee--zooms in for a sweet treat (see drawing at right).
As the bee wriggles inside the flower to sip some nectar, grains of pollen stick to its body. Then the bee zips to another flower for more sips, and some of the pollen rubs off onto that flower.
This is a good deal for both bee and tree. While the bee gathers food, it also carries pollen from flower to flower. That pollinates the flowers so they can make seeds (the Brazil nuts).
But, uh-oh--orchid bees must ...