POLLINATION TYPES
Pollination is the first step in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. There are two types of pollination, each being categorized by the link between where the pollen is originating from and where pollen placement occurs.
CROSS POLLINATION
SELF-POLLINATION
Definition:
The transfer of pollen between the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another plant of the same species.
Visual:
Bee Covered in Pollen
This image depicts cross-pollination because the bee is acting as a vector by bringing pollen from another flower and depositing it on the flower shown here.
Information:
The level of success in achieving sexual reproduction for cross-pollinated species heavily depends on how efficient the pollinating vectors are.
This is an important fact to remember as the pollen MUST be transferred from one plant to another for seed set to occur. Of course, seed set is the beginning of the next generation and this is why conserving our native biotic pollinators is so important.
These types of cross-pollinated plants would simply not be able to reproduce without them!
Definition:
The transfer of pollen from the style(middle section between the stigma and ovary) to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant.
Visual:
Orchid with Added “Pollen Grains” for Visualization
This image depicts self-pollination because the “pollen” from the style of the top flower is being transferred to the stigma of the middle flower on the same plant.
Information:
Self-Pollination is much more rare than cross pollination, however there are a few plant families that utilize this type of method. The families are as follows:
1. Orchidaceae(a.k.a The Orchid Family)
2. Fabaceae(a.k.a The Pea/Bean/Legume Family)
3. Asteraceae(a.k.a The Daisy Family)
4. Poaceae(a.k.a The Grass Family)