Anemophily

Estimated time: 11 minutes

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Definition: Anemophily

Transfer of pollen grains from the anther to the stigma through wind is known as anemophily.

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Feature	Adaptation	Why?
Flowers	Small, dull, no colour	No need to attract insects
Nectar & Fragrance	Absent	Not required for wind
Pollen	Light, dry, non-sticky	Easily blown by wind
Pollen Amount	Very large quantity	Most pollen is lost in transit
Anthers	Versatile, hang freely	Shake off pollen into air
Filaments	Long, exposed	Maximum contact with wind
Stigma	Large, feathery, protruding	Catches airborne pollen
Ovule per Ovary	Only one	Key exam fact
Flowers on Plant	Grouped in inflorescence	More pollen released & caught

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Part	Location on Plant	Function
Tassels (Male Inflorescence)	Top / terminal end	Bears anthers; releases dust-like pollen clouds into air
Cob (Female Inflorescence)	Lateral nodes (lower, middle)	Bears ovules — each will develop into a corn kernel
Silk (Styles + Stigma)	Projects beyond protective leaves at cob tip	Feathery silk waves in wind to trap airborne pollen

Pollination by wind (Maize)

Anthers in the tassels burst open, releasing a cloud of dust-like pollen into the air.
Wind carries pollen downward and laterally through the open air.
The protruding, feathery silk (stigma + style)waves in the wind, intercepting airborne pollen grains.
Pollen adheres to the sticky surface of the silk — pollination is complete.
Each pollinated silk thread eventually leads to the development of one corn kernel

CBSE: Class 12
Maharashtra State Board: Class 12
CISCE: Class 12

Meaning - Anemophily is pollination by wind; more common among abiotic pollinations (e.g., grasses, corn cob).
Pollen Characteristics - Pollen grains are light and non-sticky, so they can be easily carried by wind currents.
Floral Structure - Flowers have well-exposed stamens for easy pollen dispersal and a large, feathery stigma to trap airborne pollen.
Ovule & Inflorescence - Each ovary has a single ovule; flowers are numerous and packed into an inflorescence (e.g., corn cob/tassels).
Colour & Nectar - Flowers are not colourful and do not produce nectar (no need to attract insects).
Pollination Efficiency - Produces large amounts of pollen to compensate for the chance factor of pollen reaching the stigma.