About Mohavea confertiflora (Benth. ex A.DC.) A.Heller
Mohavea confertiflora is an annual herb that grows up to 0.61 meters (2 feet) tall. It flowers from March to April. This species does not produce nectar, and has evolved a flower shape that resembles Mentzelia involucrata, a plant that often grows in the same habitat. Mentzelia involucrata does produce nectar to attract female bees of the genus Xeralictus. In areas where the ranges of Mohavea confertiflora and Mentzelia involucrata overlap, Mohavea confertiflora attracts the same pollinators through floral mimicry. Its flowers have marks that look like female Xeralictus bees; these marks act as a sign stimulus for male bees. When a male bee enters the flower to investigate, it pollinates the Mohavea confertiflora.
