Which one of the following aquatic plants does not use water for pollination?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Water hyacinth
Most aquatic plants do not use water for pollination. Only some, whose flowers stay under water or on the surface, use hydrophily, which means pollination by water.
(1) Vallisneria — Uses water. It is a freshwater plant whose pollination takes place inside the water.
(2) Water hyacinth — Does not use water. Its flowers rise above the water level. They are pollinated by insects or wind, as in most land plants.
(3) Hydrilla — Uses water. It is also a freshwater plant that is pollinated inside the water.
(4) Zostera — Uses water. It is a marine sea-grass, and its pollination also takes place inside the water.
NCERT Extract:
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.”