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 with the agents of pollination.

Answer 1

(1) Maize wind pollination

a. The pollen grains are light and non-sticky

b. They possess well-exposed stamens and feathery stigma

(2) Vallisneria water pollination

a. Water pollinated flowers are not very colourful and do not produce nectar.

b. Pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering

(3) Rose Insect polination

a. Insect-pollinated flowers are large, colourful, fragrant and rich in nectar.

b. The flowers are small, a number of flowersare clustered into an inflorescence.