Why Do Night-Blooming Plants Have Less Colorful Flowers Than Day-Blooming Plants?

Nocturnal Pollinators

According to the University of Cincinnati -- Clermont College, night-blooming flowers have white or pale colors due to the pollinators, moths, that they evolved with over time. Moths are nocturnal, have a good sense of smell and hover as they feed. The flowers they pollinate have white or pale colors so they are visible at night by moonlight. The flowers that attract moths, such as moonflowers, have strong, sweet fragrances and deep tubes to match the length of the moth's tongue. Their petals are also flat or bent back so the moth can get more easily reach the nectar and pollen. Clermont College also notes that Charles Darwin predicted the existence of a moth in Madagascar based on the size and shape of a flower he saw there. The moth was not actually seen in existence until about 40 years after his prediction.

Often these plants, such as four o'clocks, both open and emit their heavy scents only at night, according to the University of Illinois Extension. The plants save energy by only opening and emitting scent when their pollinators are around and can be lured.

Other flower colors also help to identify which insects may pollinate them. According to Fulton-Montgomery Community College, the reason that bees rarely pollinate red flowers, but beetles often do, is that that bees, unlike beetles, do not see the color red. Bees can see other colors, as well as ultraviolet reflection, which some bee-pollinated flowers emit, according to North Carolina State University.

"Moon gardens" help humans to enjoy these plants that luminously reflect the moon's light and emit strong, sweet fragrances. According to the University of Nebraska -- Lincoln Extension Lancaster County, good plants to use in moon gardens include moonflower (Ipomea alba), four o'clocks (Mirabilisjalapa) yucca and flowering tobacco (Nicotiana alata). Silvery-leaved plants can give off a sparkle when moonlight strikes them. University of Illinois Extension suggests planting lamb's ear and artemesias to reflect moonlight.