Pollination in water hyacinth occurs by:
A. Water
B. Wind
C. Insect
D. Human
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → B and C only
Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant, but it is not pollinated by water. Water pollination is quite rare. It is seen in only a few plants, such as Vallisneria, Hydrilla and Zostera.
A. Water — Incorrect. The flowers of water hyacinth stand above the water, so water does not carry its pollen.
B. Wind — Correct. Wind can carry the pollen of these raised flowers.
C. Insect — Correct. Insects visit the flowers and carry the pollen.
D. Human — Incorrect. Humans are not a natural agent of pollination for water hyacinth.
Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2025 on 27-05-2025 (Slot 2).
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… Not all aquatic plants use water for pollination. In a majority of aquatic plants such as water hyacinth and water lily, the flowers emerge above the level of water and are pollinated by insects or wind as in most of the land plants.”