Up Close and Iris

Iris Petal, up close. Note that the lower petal acts as a landing pad for insects looking for nectar within (the perianth). In the process any pollen the insect was carrying is applied to the stigmatic surface (receptive surface) while new pollen is applied to the hapless insect when it backs out. Thus, not only does the insect pollinate the iris, but flower structure is uniquely designed such that the flower is CROSS-pollinated; i.e., fertilized with pollen from a different flower.

Ever Wonder What a Bee Sees?

Iris. Here's a picture on the business end of an Iris. You can see how it funnels the bee in through that tiny little passage and forces the bee to leave with pollen on it's back. You can't quite see the stamens and stigma as the falls curve on inward a bit but they rest up against the top surface and end up rubbing pollen quite effectively on/off of the bees little furry back! Would you crawl down a yellow, hair-lined tunnel that looked like that?