How Does a Plant Pollinate?
Plants must go through pollination to reproduce. During pollination pollen is moved from male flowers to female flowers, or pollen is moved within the same flower. If pollination does not happen, new plants will not grow. Does this Spark an idea?
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Abiotic Plants
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Abiotic plants go through pollination without the help of other living organisms. The majority of these plants are pollinated using the wind. The male plants produce high amounts of lightweight pollen that is easily picked up by the wind and moved to female plants. Only 2 percent of abiotic plants use water to pollinate and these tend to all be aquatic plants that release pollen directly into the water.
Biotic Plants
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Biotic plants rely on other living organisms like animals and insects to pollinate. Many plants have evolved along side their pollinators to create the best working relationship. The color and scent of flowers attract insects and animals. The pollen these plants create is sticky or barbed so that it will cling to fur or hair.
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Self-pollination
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Plants that self-pollinate will have both the anther and the stigma, or male and female, sections of the flower. The pollen is moved within the flower itself to pollinate and create offspring. This method of pollination leaves little room for genetic differences.
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References
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