A fruit claims the title of most intensely reflective species
SEP 11, 2012
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.026330
New Scientist : The fruit of Pollia condensata has been determined to have the highest reflective intensity of any plant or animal species. Beverley Glover at the University of Cambridge, UK, defines intensity as the proportion of visible light that is reflected by the material. The fruit, which grows in forests of sub-Saharan Africa, owes its iridescent blue color to a nanostructured surface similar to the shells of scarab beetles and the wings of some butterflies. The fruit itself is barely edible, containing only seeds and no pulp. Glover suggests that the color may be an adaptive trait, evolved so that birds would eat the fruit and spread the seeds, despite the lack of taste or nourishment.
© 2012 American Institute of Physics
