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How do bats pollinate flowers that open at night?

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A honeybee collects pollen from the yellow stamens of a pink and cream honeysuckle flower against a blurred green background. — pollination Common carder bumblebee (*Bombus pascuorum*) pollinating a honeysuckle (*Lonicera* species) flower.

Plants that rely on bats for pollination—known as chiropterophilous plants—have evolved specific traits to attract nocturnal bats and facilitate the transfer of pollen.1

Floral Adaptations

To be easily spotted in the dark, these flowers are typically large and white. They often emit a strong, musky, or fermented odor to guide bats, which rely heavily on their keen sense of smell. The flowers are structurally adapted to accommodate a bat's face, often featuring a sturdy, bell-like, or vase-shaped form. Some species are positioned on tree trunks or dangling on long branches to provide easy access for the bats.12

The Pollination Process

When feeding, bats use their thumb claws to hook onto the petals and insert their heads into the flower. Nectar-eating bats possess long, extensible tongues equipped with fleshy bristles or papillae, which allow them to efficiently extract nectar and collect protein-rich pollen. As the bat feeds, pollen adheres to its face and whiskers, which is then transferred to the next flower the bat visits.21