Question

Explain the process of pollination in Vallisneria. How is it different in water lilies which is also an aquatic plant?

Answer 1

The pollination in water-lily is dependent upon the medium which helps in transfer of pollen from male to the female flower of the plant whereas in the case of Valisneria the pollination is somewhat self and it does not require any transfer agent.

Complete answer:
We know that both Vallisneria and water lily are aquatic plants. The aquatic plants rely completely on the water currents for their pollination process but now plants have evolved themselves to overcome the dependency of water currents.
Let us first talk about the pollination in Vallisneria. In Vallisneria, the mature flower comes on the surface of water with the help of a long stalk. After this the male flower releases pollen onto the surface of water and when another female flower rises above the water level then these pollens get stacked to the stigma and the pollination is achieved.
Whereas, if we talk about the pollination in the water lily, then the flowers of these plants are also situated above the water level but instead of releasing pollens in water the pollens of male flowers of water lily are transferred with the help of insects and pests. So, the difference in the pollination pattern of the two plants is easily differentiable by the point of requirement of transferring agent.

Note:
Pollination is a process where transfer of pollen takes place from male flowers to the stigma of the female flower of the plant. In these plants only the flowers rise above the water level and the rest of the plant remains attached to the bottom of the water body.