Page 27 - Biology - XII

EXPERIMENT - 6

Objective
To study fl owers adapted to pollination by diff erent agencies.

Principle/Theory
Flowers are the reproductive parts of angiospermic plants. Flowers have four whorls in it that help in
reproductive process. These parts are categorised as essential and non-essential parts based on their role in
reproduction. A complete fl ower has all these parts in it. If any one part is absent, then it is an incomplete
fl ower. Pollination is the process of transfer of pollen grains from anthers to stigma of a fl ower. A male
fl ower has stamens and does not have female fl ower and vice versa. Stamens produce pollens that has to
be carried to stigma of same or diff erent fl ower of same species. It is termed as pollination. It is of two
types—(1) Self pollination and (2) Cross pollination. Flowers are adapted accordingly and according to the
pollinating agents: wind, insects, birds, water, etc.

Flowers adapted to pollination by wind are called anemophilous fl owers or wind-loving fl owers
(anemos - wind).

Identifi cation

Adaptations in anemophilous fl owers are:
1. Size—Flowers are small and inconspicuous.

2. Appearance—Flowers are not attractive, never showy, or coloured.
3. Scent—Flowers do not emit smell (scent), do not secrete any nectar.

Special Adaptation
1. Flowers are generally unisexual (male and female fl owers are separate).
2. Flowers have large stigma and styles; stigma may be feathery and protruding.

3. The pollen grains produced are in large quantity, they are light (may be winged), small, smooth, and dry.

Other anemophilous (wind-loving) fl owers are—

Sugarcane, grass, millet, bamboo, pine, cannabis, coconut palm, date palm, etc.

Sugarcane - fl owers Grasses - fl owers Millets - fl owers

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