Ecological function of the ‘elephant trunk’ upper corolla in Pedicularis species

Collectively, our findings indicate that the beak structure functions as a pollen-dispensing mechanism, controlling pollen removal in Pedicularis. This first empirical study on the ecological function of the Pedicularis 'elephant trunk' offers crucial insights into floral trait evolution within this diversifying genus, highlighting how specific complicated floral morphologies can tune pollen removal in buzz-pollinated plants.