ADAPTATIONS RELATED TO

INSECT AND WIND

POLLINATION
• Pollination: the transfer of pollen grains
from anthers to the stigmas;
• external agents are needed –
• (1) by insect
• (2) by wind
• Comparison of anemophilous (wind-pollinated)
and entomorphilous (insect-pollinated) flowers

wind-pollinated insect-pollinated
Example: grass Example: Bauhinia
Plants often occur in …in small groups
dense groups covering
large areas
Flowers occur in groups …may be solitary or in
(inflorescences) on the groups
plant
Flowers often unisexual Mostly bisexual
with an excess of male
flowers
wind-pollinated insect-pollinated
Petals are dull and …large & brightly
much reduced in size coloured, conspicuous to
insects
No scent or nectary Scent and/or nectary to
attract insect
Stigmas protrude outside …lie deep inside corolla
flower on long styles

Stigmas are feathery, …relatively small

giving them a large because they are easily
surface area to filter touched by insects
pollen from the air
wind-pollinated insect-pollinated
Anthers hang outside …lie inside flower to
flower on long filaments touch insects when they
so the pollens are easily come to collect nectar
released into the air
Large number of pollens Less pollens because
are produced to offset the high chance of successful
high degree of wastage pollination and to reduce
during dispersal wastage
Pollen is smooth, light & …larger and often have
small and sometimes projections to adhere to
have wing-like extensions insects
to aid wind transport