Which of the following statements are correct?
(A) Insect-pollinated flowers often have a single ovule in each ovary and numerous flowers packed into an inflorescence.
(B) Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly dicotyledons.
(C) Vallisneria and Hydrilla are water-pollinated plants, but Zostera is wind-pollinated.
(D) 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.
(E) To sustain animal visits, the flowers have to provide rewards to the animals.
Choose the correct answer from the given options.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → D and E only
A. Insect-pollinated flowers often have a single ovule in each ovary and numerous flowers packed into an inflorescence. — False. This is a feature of wind-pollinated flowers, as in the corn cob. Insect-pollinated flowers are usually large, colourful and fragrant, with nectar.
B. Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly dicotyledons. — False. Water pollination is rare, but the 30 or so genera are mostly monocotyledons, not dicotyledons.
C. Vallisneria and Hydrilla are water-pollinated plants, but Zostera is wind-pollinated. — False. Zostera is a marine sea-grass and is also water-pollinated, like Vallisneria and Hydrilla.
D. 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. — True. Not every water plant uses water for pollination. These flowers rise above the water surface and are pollinated as land plants are.
E. To sustain animal visits, the flowers have to provide rewards to the animals. — True. Animals keep visiting only if they gain something. Nectar and pollen grains are the usual floral rewards.
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… Wind-pollinated flowers often have a single ovule in each ovary and numerous flowers packed into an inflorescence; a familiar example is the corn cob – the tassels you see are nothing but the stigma and style which wave in the wind to trap pollen grains. Wind-pollination is quite common in grasses. Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly monocotyledons.”
Pollination – “… Some examples of water pollinated plants are Vallisneria and Hydrilla which grow in fresh water and several marine sea-grasses such as Zostera. 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.”
Pollination – “… To sustain animal visits, the flowers have to provide rewards to the animals. Nectar and pollen grains are the usual floral rewards.”