Study of Adaptation, P of Flowers fo, Pollinatig, X. INTRODUCTION 1. The process of transfer of pollen grains from anther to the st another flower of the same species is called pollination. igma of either the same flowe,,| of immobile, hence require external agencies to reach to the stigma, Pollen grains ai involved in pollination may be abiotic (eg., wind, water) or biotic (¢ 2 ww The external agench insects, birds, bats, snails, birds). Zz AIM: To study the flowers adapted to pollination by different agencies (wind, inseck and Birds | ' REQUIREMENTS if Fresh flowers of maize or any other cereal/grass, Salvia/Ocimum and Brassica (mustard) forceps hand lens, slide, needle etc, PROCEDURE Place the given flower on a slide and observe it with the help of hand lens, Note down the adaptations of the flowers meant for Pollination by the external agencies, Maize Flowers (Anemophilous Or Wind Pollinated Flowers) sees 1, The maize plant is ™onoecious and bears ‘unisexual flowers, The male flowers are bo; Flowers are small and inconscipicous, ‘The flowers are colourless, odourless and nectarless, ‘hang outside the perianth), Anthers are versatile, and pollen grains are ight aso and dusty, ‘The pollen grains are produced in very large numbers, ~Ounwy g J F 2 : és & & 8 z - - ‘Scanned with CamScannerExperiments 59 stigma is hairy, feathery or branched to catch wind born pollen grains SyyManlo owns Pollen grains Versatile anther Feathery ‘stigma pebengrains —_, Ovary anaes pian Stigmas Fig. 9.1. Anemophily in maize. Fig. 9.2. Feathery stigmas and versatile anthers in a flower of grass. Salvia Flowers (Entomophilous or Insect Pollinated Flowers) - ‘The flowers of Saliva show following adaptations for pollination by insects. ‘The flowers are showy or brightly coloured for attracting pollinating insects. ‘The flowers are born in verticellaster inflorescence to become conspicuous. Sg Flowers secrete nectar to feed visiting insects, Nectar glands are placed in such a position that an insect must touch both the anthers and stigmas. ‘The flowers have landing platform for the insects. ‘The flowers are protandrons with bilipped corolla and have turn pipe or lever mechanism. ach stamen has long connective which bears a fertile anther lobe at the upper end and sterile Plat like anther lobe at the lower end, The two sterile anther plates block the path of insect. As theinse i i Ee insect inoves inward a young flower in search of nectar, its head pushes, the anther plates forces the fertile anther lobes to strike against its back. Incl e ole flowers the style brings the stigma in such a position that it brushes against the back Sect and collect pollen grains brought by the insect from a young flower. ‘Scanned wih CemScannerComprehenstue Laboratory Manual jn 8 A on Closed stigma Fortilo anther tobo ao co Shedding of Pollen graing 47 on tho back of insect V Sterito 0 A anther lobe Nectariferous Mature disc stigma Stigma receiving pollen grains from the back of insect Withering D! anther The flowers of Bignonia show following adaptations for pollination by birds. ‘he flowers are usually brightly coloured-red, orange, yellow or blue ‘The floral parts are commonly leathery. Humming bird Fig. 9.4. Pollination in Bignonia. Humming bird collecting nectar from Bignonia flower and thus pollinating it. ‘Scanned wih CemScannersome cases, the corolla are leathery. flowers secrete abundant watery nectar or have edible parts. nectar is secreted in such abundance that drops of it can be brought down by shaking “ranches. | The flowers are generally odourless or without fragrance. ‘Scanned wih CamScanner