Pollination

Because plants can’t go find a mate they require the help of:Abiotic - Pollination by wind, water or

gravityBiotic - Pollination by animals like,

insects, birds, small mammals, bats, etc.

Abiotic – Wind pollination – Most commonFlowers are usually unscented.Have either very reduced petals and sepals or

lack them altogether.Do not produce nectar.Male and female reproductive structures are

commonly found in separate plants. The male plants have numerous exposed

stamens, often on long filaments; The female flowers have long, often branched,

feathery stigmas.

Why?

If you are not trying to attract a pollinator, you do not need to advertise.

It saves on energy.Negative – you need

to release A LOT of pollen – part of the reason so many people have allergies.

Weeping willow

Biotic Pollination

What are critters that YOU have seen pollinating? Make a list, now. . .

The plant must supply something:Some kind of reward such as food (nectar)Some way to advertise such as odor, color, shape,

texture.A way to get the pollen on the visitor but also a way to

transfer it to the next flower.

Typical pollinators

Pollination by Bats

Over 300 species of fruit depend on bats for pollination.Mangoes, bananas, guavas

Flowers visited by bats usuallyOpen at nightLarge in size (1 – 3.5 inches)Pale or white in colorVery fragrantCopious dilute nectar

They also feed on the insects in the flowers

Partnerships

The yucca plant and yucca moths are so interdependent that they can not live without each other.

The female moth pollinates the plant and then lays her eggs in the ovary.

She can smell if another female has already laid eggs in an ovary.

Some of the seeds will help feed the larvae.

Yucca

Pollination by Deception - Orchids

Food DeceptionFalsely advertise the

presence of food by bright colors and sweet scent.

Reproduction Deception

Some orchids have co-evolved to be pollinated by one specific type of insect

The male “thinks” he is mating with a female because the plant looks so much like the female insect.

The plant wins because pollination occurred.

Pollination by entrapment

Left Side: Surprising revelations

I learned . . .I am surprised. . .I wonder. . . I like . . .

Test Questions:

What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by abiotic factors?

What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by biotic factors?

Answers

What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by abiotic factors?Small flowersExposed pollenNo bright colorsNo scentLots of pollenLonger stamen and stigmas

Answers

What are three characteristics of plants pollinated by biotic factors?Bright colorsScent – good or badSpecialized partsSome kind of rewardSometimes, deception