Young Ruby-throated Hummingbird Pollinating Red Sage. Royalty-Free Stock Image

Sage has a unique lever system that aids pollination. When the Hummingbird pokes his beak into the flower for nectar he pushes on the posterior anther theca. The lever causes the stamens to touch the birds` head and deposit pollen. Here you can see the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilocus colubris, with his beak in the flower, Salvia coccinea, and the anthers are in contact with his head. Note also that his head is covered with pollen from the previous flowers he has visited.