01/13/2024
When the snapdragon flowers die, the dried seed pods that remain look like tiny, brown, shrunken skulls.
The skull-like appearance of the seed pods is due to the snapdragon’s flower structure and its bilateral symmetry. They are often used in Halloween decorations and other spooky-themed events.
Snapdragons are named after their flower structure: Snapdragons are named after the blooms that resemble little dragon jaws that open and close when you gently squeeze the sides of the flowers.
The segmented blooms of some species of snapdragons must be pollinated by big, strong bumblebees because honeybees aren’t sturdy enough to open the jaws. So, if you ever see a bumblebee struggling with a snapdragon flower, you’ll know why! 😂
Image credit: laajala/flickr [A&B], Ross Parry [B], Adobe Stocks [D]
----
