Question

The process of transfer of pollen grains from anther to stigmatic surface of flower with the help of water is

• A. Anemophily
• B. Hydrophily
• C. Zoophily
• D. Ornithophily

Answer 1

The correct option is B Hydrophily

The process of transfer of pollen grains from the anther to stigmatic surface of the flower with the help of water is hydrophily. Pollination by water is quite rare in flowering plants and is limited to about 30 genera, mostly monocots, e.g. freshwater plants like Vallisneria, Hydrilla; marine water plants like Zostera. Light unwettable pollen grains are present in these plants. Pollen grains are surrounded by mucilaginous covering, hence protected from wetting. Stigma is long, sticky and unwettable.

Pollination by water may occur at two places:

1. Epihydrophily: It occurs on the surface of the water. e.g. Vallisneria.
2. Hypohydrophily: It occurs beneath the surface of the water. e.g. Zostera.