Question

Anemophilous flowers have
A) Sessile stigma
B) Small smooth stigma
C) Coloured flower
D) Large feathery stigma

Answer 1

The term anemophily refers to the process in which pollination takes place through the wind. These are the wind-pollinated plants also known as anemophilous plants. Coconut flower, wheat, barley, corn, and some grasses that use wind for pollination.

Complete answer:
For wind to carry the pollen grains from a flower the pollen grains have to be lightweight and non-sticky so that it can be easily carried away. These plants have to produce a large number of pollen grains because the probability of pollen reaching the right plant is low. For pollination to occur completely, the pollen has to reach the proper stigma. The adaptations are such that the pollen have to be trapped by the stigma to favor pollination. For this, the stigma is designed large and feathery/brushy. This feathery character helps it to trap the pollen grains. Further, the stigma is extended and protruded out to capture the grains easily.
The flowers, on the other hand, are small and inconspicuous. They do not require attracting insects. When the wind passes by, it carries the pollen grains along with it. The wind carries the pollen away to reach the stigma of another plant. Here the stigma being feathery catches the pollen thus easing the pollination. Sessile stigma is the presentation in which the style is very short and is directly in level with the ovary. Colored flowers are usually present to attract the insects towards the plant so that they can collect the pollen from the flower and deposit on the stigma of another flower.
So, the correct answer is option D.

Note: The anemophilous plants don’t produce flowers with scent or nectar. These features are present in insect-pollinated plants. The lightweight of the pollen grains makes it favorable for the wind to carry it. The non-sticky nature helps the wind to easily lift the pollen from the stamen.