Question

In Salvia, pollination occurs through the agency of

• A. Insects
• B. Bats
• C. Ants
• D. Snails

Answer 1

The correct option is A Insects

In Salvia, pollination occurs through the agency of insects. When insects are the pollinating agents, then pollination is known as entomophily. These are the most common biotic agents of pollination. Bees are the most common insect which acts as pollinating agents. Other insect pollinators are butterflies, flies, beetles, wasps, ants, moths. Majority of insect-pollinated flowers are large-sized. Small-sized flowers are clustered into an inflorescence. Flowers are colourful and fragrant. Nectaries are present. The pollen grain is sticky.

Salvia genus belongs to family Labiatae. In these plants, the gametopetalous corolla is two-lipped. The lower lip provides the platform for the visiting insect and the upper lip just protects the floral organs. In these plants, cross-pollination occurs only when the pollen-dusted bee visits older flowers with mature gynoecium.