Question

Three different flowers are given to you in the practical class.
(i) Maize
(ii) Vallisneria
(iii) Rose
You are asked to group them based on pollinating agents. Describe the adaptations of each flower related to the agents of pollination.

Answer 1

Different plants have different pollinating agents based on their environment and structural properties. In plants, which live in the water get pollinated with the help of water. Attracted flowers are mostly pollinated by insects.

Complete answer:
Pollinating agent of flowers are as follows-
-Maize- Pollination in maize is caused by the wind and this method is named anemophily.
-Vallisneria-As, Vallisneria is a water living plant, the pollination in this is achieved by water. This method is known as Hydrophily.
-Rose-Pollination in rose is achieved by insects and this method is known as entomophily.
Adaptation of each flower related with it’s pollinating agents are:-
-Maize- As in Maize plants, pollination is achieved by wind there is no need for pretty petals. Pollens are light so that they can easily travel through wind and the end of the female reproductive part i.e stigma is made fluffy and is a little slimy so that pollen can easily be trapped in them.
-Vallisneria- They are not colorful and even nectars are not produced. In this, female flowers reach the surface of the water by its long stalk and male flowers release pollen grains onto the surface of the water. Pollens are carried to female flowers passively by water currents.
-Rose- As roses get pollinated by insects, petals are made bright and beautiful to attract the insects, and nectar is also provided to insects so that the chances of pollination increases.

Note: Pollinating agents are only required in cross-pollination, not in self-pollination. Some animals, insects, and birds extract pollen from the plant but do not cause pollination. These types of agents are known as Nectar robbers. Examples of nectar robbers are carpenter bees, bumblebees, etc.