Question

What is the lever mechanism in Salvia?

Answer 1

Salvia:

1. Salvia is the largest genus of plants belonging to the mint family.
2. These plants are found mostly in Southern Mexico.
3. Salvinorin A is the main ingredient of this plant that causes hallucinations.

Lever mechanism in Salvia:

1. Flowers of Salvia have two stamens which are epipetalous.
2. The two anther lobes are connected by a long curved connective.
3. One of the anther lobes is sterile. The sterile lobes of both the anthers form a sterile plate.
4. The style is bent and long. There is a nectary at the base.
5. The insect visitor alights on the sterile plate as a result of which the fertile lobe dusts the pollen on the back of the insect.
6. When the same insect visits another flower of the same kind, the bent style touches the back of the insect, receiving the pollen.
7. This is called the lever mechanism.