Question

Which one of the following statements is correct?

• A. Hay fever is caused exclusively by pollen released by hydrophilous flowers
• B. Coconut plants exhibit hydrophily
• C. In Zostera, the pollen grains are ribbon like and without exine.
• D. Hydrophilous plants produce small, dry, and winged pollen grains

Answer 1

The correct option is C In Zostera, the pollen grains are ribbon like and without exine.

Hydrophily is the mode of pollination that is accomplished through the agency of water. The flowers are small, odourless and nectarless. Pollen grains are without exine, thread-like for underwater pollination and spherical for surface water pollination. Pollen grains also have a mucilage cover that makes them unwettable. Zostera shows underwater pollination.

Anemophily refers to the pollination via the agency of wind. Here the pollen grains are dry, light, small, winged or dusty. Some humans may be allergic to these pollen grains. Coconut, grasses are examples of wind-pollinated plants.
Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to airborne substances, such as pollen.