- Magnolia trees are ancient, existing for over 100 million years, predating bees.
- Beetles, which have existed for about 300 million years, are the primary pollinators of magnolias because bees did not exist when magnolias evolved.
- The magnolia's bowl-shaped, sturdy petals and intoxicating scent are adapted to attract beetles, which navigate by scent and climb into the flowers.
- Beetles pollinate magnolias accidentally by getting coated in pollen while moving through the flowers, despite being less sophisticated than bees or butterflies.
- The ancient partnership between magnolias and beetles demonstrates resilience and time-tested evolution.