The given characteristics of some flowers include:
I. Small size and often clustered in inflorescences.
II. Lack of colour, nectar, and scent.
III. Exposed stamens.
IV. Abundant production of light and non-sticky pollen grains.
V. Presence of a single ovule in each ovary.
VI. Large stigma, often feathery in appearance.
These features are indicative of:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Anemophily (pollination by wind)
Each agent of pollination goes with its own set of flower features. Wind carries pollen by chance, so a wind-pollinated flower does not need to attract any animal. It has no bright colour, nectar or scent, it makes a large amount of light, non-sticky pollen, its stamens are well exposed and its stigma is large and often feathery to catch air-borne pollen. All six features in the list fit this pattern.
Option (1) Entomophily (pollination by insects) — Incorrect. Insect-pollinated flowers are usually large, colourful and fragrant, and they offer nectar or pollen as a reward. A flower with no colour, nectar or scent would not attract insects.
Option (2) Ornithophily (pollination by birds) — Incorrect. Bird-pollinated flowers also attract their pollinators with bright colours and plenty of nectar. The listed features, with light pollen and feathery stigmas, do not suit birds.
Option (3) Anemophily (pollination by wind) — Correct. Light, non-sticky pollen made in large amounts, well-exposed stamens, large feathery stigmas, a single ovule in each ovary and many small flowers packed in an inflorescence are all features of wind pollination. The corn cob is a familiar example.
Option (4) Self-pollination — Incorrect. Self-pollination (autogamy) is the transfer of pollen to the stigma of the same flower. It does not need pollen to travel in the air, so exposed stamens, huge amounts of light pollen and feathery stigmas are not its features.
NCERT Extract:
Pollination – “… Pollination by wind is more common amongst abiotic pollinations. Wind pollination also requires that the pollen grains are light and non-sticky so that they can be transported in wind currents. They often possess well-exposed stamens (so that the pollens are easily dispersed into wind currents, Figure 1.10) and large often-feathery stigma to easily trap air-borne pollen grains. 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.”
Pollination – “… Both wind and water pollinated flowers are not very colourful and do not produce nectar.”