NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Which of the following statements correctly describes the floral adaptations and pollination mechanism in the marine seagrass Zostera?
Options
- AFemale flowers reach the surface of water by a long stalk to receive pollen grains.
- BFemale flowers remain submerged in water and release long, ribbon-like pollen grains protected by a mucilagino
- CFlowers produce large amounts of light and non-sticky pollen grains to facilitate passive transport by air cur
- DFlowers emerge above the water surface and produce sticky pollen grains to attract insect pollinators.
Correct answer
B. Female flowers remain submerged in water and release long, ribbon-like pollen grains protected by a mucilagino
Step-by-step solution
Zostera is a marine seagrass that exhibits hydrophily (water pollination). In Zostera, the female flowers remain submerged in water and the pollen grains are released inside the water. To facilitate this submerged pollination, the pollen grains are long and ribbon-like so they can be carried passively inside the water. Furthermore, the pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering. Vallisneria shows surface water pollination, while emergent aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water lily are