New study shows nanostructures on the surface of flower petals cause light particles to scatter, giving the flower what researchers have called a ‘blue halo’.
The research has shown that the disordered surfaces, found in most major lines of angiosperms such as daisies, produce visual signals that are salient to bees. The optical trick is not always visible to humans, but it can be spotted by bees, suggesting that it may have evolved to attract pollinators.