Question

Pollination is an important phenomenon in the life cycle of a flowering plant. Describe the agencies responsible for it.

Answer 1

Pollination transfers pollen from anther to stigma. Its agents are:

1. Wind (anemophily): carries light, dry pollen; common in grasses and maize. Exposed stamens and feathery stigmas aid transfer.
2. Water (hydrophily): water currents transfer pollen, as in Vallisneria; true hydrophily is relatively uncommon.
3. Insects (entomophily): bees, butterflies, moths and other insects visit flowers for nectar or pollen. Bright petals, scent and sticky pollen aid transfer.
4. Birds (ornithophily): birds visit colourful, often tubular flowers rich in nectar, such as silk cotton tree.
5. Bats (chiropterophily): often visit large, night-opening flowers with abundant nectar and a strong odour, such as baobab.