The Parts of the Flower & Pollination

Pollination by insect

A complete flower contains all the parts, both male and female, on one flower. The basic structures of a flower involved in pollination are the petals, stamens and pistils.

Petals

Petals occur in various sizes, colors, and shapes. Petals create a colorful target that bees, birds and other pollinators use to guide them in finding nectar.

Nectar

Nectar is a sweet, sticky liquid produced by the flower to lure pollinators. While getting a drink, they will pick up pollen from the male parts and deposit it on the female parts of the flower.

Male Parts

The male part of the flower is the stamen. The tip of the stamen, called the anther, is covered in pollen, which contains the sperm for reproduction.

Female Parts

Pistil surrounded by stamens

The pollen is deposited on the stigma, which is the top of pistil. Once deposited, the pollen causes a tube to grow from itself, through the pistil's style and into the ovary.

Fertilization

Once the sperm and egg meet, fertilization occurs and a seed is made. If planted, the seed can grow into a new plant.

Pollination Types

Cross-pollination occurs when pollen is swapped between plants. A flower that pollinates itself undergoes self-pollination.

References

• "Plant Biology;" Thomas L. Rost, et all; 2006. (pp., 196-200)

Resources

• Animation of pollination
• Pollination worksheet