NT OR SPOo Study of Adaptations

NTNID of Flowers for

9 Pollination
INTRODUCTION of either the sarne flower or
from anther to the stigna
The poeNn of tranfer of ollen graina
another flower of the name apecien ia called pollination.
to reach to the stigna.
are immobile, hence require external agencies
Tollen grains
biotic (e.g,
may be
abiotic (e,g, wind, water) or

The extenal agencies involved in pollination

insects, birds, bats, snails, birda).

EXPERIMENT 9.1

insect and
different agencies (wind, birds).
AIN: Tostudy the flowers adapted to pollination by

REQUIREMENTS
Salvia/Ocimum and Brassica (mustard) forceps,
Fresh flowers of maize or any other cereal/grass,
hand lens, slide, needle etc.

PROCEDURE
with the help of hand lens. Note down the
Place the given flower on a slide and observe it
the external agencies.
adaptations of the flowers meant for pollination by
Pollinated Flowers)
Maize Flowers (Anemophilous or Wind
The flowers of maize show following adaptations for pollination by wind.
unisexual flowers. The male flowers are born in terminal
The maize plant is monoecious and bears
inflorescence while the female flowers are born in axillary inflorescence.

Flowers are small and inconscipicous

The flowers colourless, odourless and nectarless.
are

Flowers are produced above the foliage or placed in hanging position.

.
Both the stigmas and anthers are exerted (i.e., hang outside the perianth).

6. Anthers are pollen grains are light, small and dusty.

versatile, and
numbers.
7 The pollen grains are produced in very large
( o r eE x p e r i n m e n t s 59

is 1feathery
hairy, or branched to catch wind born pollen grains.
Stigma

Male flowers
:

Tassel

Pollen grains

Versatile
Cobl anther

Elongated Feathery
styles stigma
Pollen grains.
of another plant
Ovary
Stigmas

9.2. Feathery stigmas and versatile

Fig.9.1. Anemophily in maize. Fig.
anthers in a flower of grass.

Salvia Flowers (Entomophilous or Insect Pollinated Flowers)

The flowers of Saliva show following adaptations for pollination by insects.

The flowers are showy or brightly coloured for attracting pollinating insects.

Ihe fHowers are born in verticellaster inflorescence to become conspicuous.

Flowers secrete nectar to feed visiting insects. Nectar glands are placed in such a position that
an insect must touch both the anthers and stigmas.

he
fowers have landing platform for the insects.
he flowers are protandrons with bilipped corolla and have turn pipe or lever mechanism.
Each stamen has long connective which bears a fertile anther lobe at the upper end and sterile
plate like anther lobe at the lower end. The two sterile anther plates block the path of insect.
5 the insect moves inward a young flower in search of nectar, its head pushes, the anther plates
and forces the fertile anther lobes to strike against its back.
that it brushes
against the back
Older flowers the style brings the stigma in such a position
e c t and collect pollen grains brought by the insect from a young flower.
60 Compnchenswe Labor Manual in Biology-
Closed stigma
Fertile
anther lobe

Shedding of
pollen grains
on the back
of insect

VSterile B
A anther lobe
Stigma
Nectariferous Mature receiving
disc / stigma
pollen grains
from the back
of insect

D
Withering
anther
Fig. 9.3. Pollination in Salvia. A. Flower with mature anthers, enclosed stigma and short style.
B. Shedding of pollen grains on the back of entering insect. C. Flower with mature stigma and
anthers. D. Stigma receiving pollen grains from the back of entering insect. withering

Bignonia/Callistemon (Bottle brush) Flowers (Ornithophilous or Bird Pollinated

Flowers)
The flowers of Bignonia show
following adaptations for pollination by birds.
1 The flowers are usually brightly coloured-red, orange, yellow or blue.
2 The floral parts are
commonly leathery.

Humming bird

Fig. 9.4. Pollination in Bignonia. Humming bird collecting nectar from

Bignonia flower and thus pollinating it.
Me Txperments
61

In Bome cases, the comlla are leatlhery.

The flowers secrete abundant watery nectar or have edible parts.

The nectar is secreted in such abundance that drops of it can be brought down by shaking
5
branches.

6.
1he flowers are generally odourles8 or without fragrance.

VIVA VOCE
Q.1. What is meant by pollination ?
Ans. The process of transference of pollen grains from anther to the stigma is called pollination.
Q.2. Name the types of pollination found in flowering plants.
Ans. Self pollination and cross pollination.

Q.3. What is autogamy ?

Ans. It is a type of self-pollination in which an intersexual flower is pollinated by its own pollen.
Q.4. What is geitonogamy ?
Ans. It is a type of pollination in which pollen grains of one flower are transferred to the stigma
of another flower belonging to either the same plant or genetically similar plant.
Q.5. What is allogamy or xenogamy?
Ans. It is a type of pollination in which pollen grains from anther of one flower are transferred to
the stigma of a genetically different flower.