NEET2026BiologyChapterActual
Identify the correct statement regarding the pollination mechanism of the aquatic plant shown in the given figure:
Options
- AFemale flowers remain submerged in water and pollen grains are long, ribbon-like, and carried inside the water
- BThe plant produces large, feathery stigmas to easily trap air-borne pollen grains.
- CThe flowers emerge above the level of water and are pollinated by insects or wind.
- DFemale flowers reach the surface of water by a long stalk and pollen grains are carried passively by water cur
Correct answer
D. Female flowers reach the surface of water by a long stalk and pollen grains are carried passively by water cur
Step-by-step solution
The given figure illustrates the pollination mechanism in Vallisneria , an aquatic plant. In Vallisneria , the female flowers reach the surface of the water by the uncoiling of their long stalks. The male flowers or pollen grains are released onto the surface of the water. They are carried passively by water currents, and some of them eventually reach the female flowers and the stigma, leading to pollination (epihydrophily). Option (A) describes hypohydrophily, seen in marine seagrasses like Zostera . Option (B) de