NOTES ON THE COLOR OF POLLEN

The spectral reflection of pollen in 67 plant species out of 28 famili es was measured by means of mass recording of pollen grains. Various t ypes of spectral reflection curves were found, but 75% belonged to two categories: 1. Human-yellow pollen with strong reflection in the gree n and red, and low reflection in the ultraviolet and blue range of wav elengths. 2. Human-whitish pollen with strong reflection in the green and red and additional reflection of shorter wavelengths. It is shown that it is important to have information about the mode of the visual pollen display - crypsis or colour contrast against the corolla, polle n advertisement, or concealment - and the visual capabilities of the p resumed pollinators in order to be able to discuss the signalling func tion of pollen colours.