The features of wind-pollinated flowers are:
A. Well-exposed stamens
B. Pollen grains light and non sticky
C. Feathery stigmas
D. Pollen grains are ribbon like
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → A, B and C only
In wind pollination, the pollen must be carried through the air and the chance of reaching a stigma is small. So wind-pollinated flowers make a lot of pollen, and they have features that help the wind to carry it and to catch it.
A. Well-exposed stamens — Correct. The pollen is then easily blown into the wind.
B. Pollen grains light and non sticky — Correct. Light, dry grains float in the air and do not clump together.
C. Feathery stigmas — Correct. A large, feathery stigma traps the pollen grains floating in the air. In maize the tassels are the stigma and style.
D. Pollen grains are ribbon like — Incorrect. Long, ribbon-like pollen grains are found in some water-pollinated plants. They are carried inside the water.
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.”
