NEETBotanySexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Which of the following sets of floral characteristics is typical of wind-pollinated plants?
Options
- ALarge, brightly coloured petals, fragrant, and rich in nectar
- BLight and non-sticky pollen grains, well-exposed stamens, and large feathery stigma
- CLong, ribbon-like pollen grains protected by a mucilaginous covering
- DFlowers secreting foul odours to attract specific pollinators
Correct answer
B. Light and non-sticky pollen grains, well-exposed stamens, and large feathery stigma
Step-by-step solution
Wind pollination (anemophily) requires pollen grains to be light and non-sticky so that they can be easily transported by wind currents. These plants typically possess well-exposed stamens (so the pollens are easily dispersed into wind currents) and large, feathery stigmas to trap air-borne pollen grains. Large, colourful, and fragrant flowers with nectar are adaptations for insect pollination. Long, ribbon-like pollen grains with a mucilaginous covering are found in submerged water-pollinated plants like Zostera.