Ants crawling on peony buds is another example of mutualism. While gathering nectar from the bud, ants emit a trail of pheromones that directs other ants to the bud.  Those same ants protect the bud from pests by stinging or spraying them with acid then tossing them off the plant. To enjoy the “king of all flowers” there’s no need to brush off those ants or break out the insecticide. 

The Contemporary Garden’s two “kings,” Bartzella Itoh, display unique peony flower and foliage from early spring into summer.

Photo source: pinterest.com

Other examples of Mutualism

Pronuba moth and yucca - the moth’s larvae depend on the yucca’s seeds for flood, and the yucca plant can only be pollinated by the yucca moth, called pronuba moth. yucca seeds.

Trees and fungi - the roots of fungi, mycorrhiza, colonize the root tissues of specific tree species which enables them to absorb nutrients.  The trees in turn provide carbohydrates produced through

photosynthesis to fungi.