Keeping the spark alive is hard in any relationship. It's especially hard for fruit trees trying to attract pollinators.
Blaire Kleiman, an FIU Institute of Environment graduate teaching assistant and alumna, found an unexpected source that keeps this relationship fruitful.
Weeds.
These often unwanted, wild-growing plants might not be particularly attractive to humans, but they do put a spell on important pollinators like bees and butterflies. In fact, the presence of weeds benefits trees and pollinators — and also means more of one of South Florida's favorite fruits.
"Weeds actually do a lot of good," Kleiman said. "It might be helpful to think of them of wildflowers instead of these horrible, ugly things that need to be removed. I say, if they aren't hurting the trees, we should just leave them alone."
