How Fertilization Occurs in a Flowering Plant

Flowers contain both male and female parts.

Flowering plants create flowers for one reason---reproduction. Flowers are where "sex," seed development and fruit sprouting occurs. The fundamentals of fertilization are pretty consistent among all flowering plants.

Stamen

The stamen is the male part of the flower and where pollen is created and stored. It is made up of the anther that sits atop a filament.

Pistil

The pistil is the female part of the flower and is made up of the stigma, style and ovaries.

Pollination

Pollination occurs when pollen from an anther meets the pistil. It can occur in the same flower (self-pollination) or from another plant of the same species (cross-pollination). Many plant species prefer cross-pollination, since it widens the gene pool and increases disease resistance and hardiness.

Fertilization

Fertilization occurs when the pollen grain develops and sends a pollen tube down the carpel and into the egg sac, where a seed is produced.

Pollinators

Some types of plants use wind to carry pollen, but most use pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths and bats. Each plants customizes its flower shape, color and aroma, as well as the taste of its nectar, to attract the most suitable pollinator.

References

• Estrella Mountain Community College: Flowering Plant Reproduction: Fertilization and Fruits