When
springtime comes around, bees get busy and pollen fills the air. Before we
dismiss pollen as just a nuisance of nature, we should keep in mind the role
this unique dust plays. We may be surprised to learn how much our lives depend
on it.
What exactly is pollen? Pollen is a powdery substance produced by flowering plants that contains male reproductive cells. Pollen consists of tiny grains that are produced in the male organs of flowering and cone-bearing plants. Simply stated, plants produce pollen in order to reproduce. As we know, in humans a female egg must be fertilized by a male sperm in order for a child to be produced. Similarly, the female organ of a flower (the pistil) needs pollen from the male organ (the stamen) in order to be fertilized and produce fruit.
Pollen grains are so tiny that we can hardly see them with the unaided eye; however, they become apparent under a microscope. In fact, a viewer can see that both the size and the shape are unique to each particular species. Since pollen is resistant to decay, it is significant that scientists often study the unique “fingerprint” of the pollen grains they unearth. They can thereby identify plants that people cultivated centuries ago. Importantly, the distinct characteristics of each type of pollen enable flowers to recognize the pollen of their own species.
Many plants depend on the air to transport their pollen after it is released from catkins or cones when they are jostled by the wind. Water also serves to transport the pollen of some water plants. Since wind pollination is a hit-and-miss affair, trees and plants that depend on this method of pollination produce astronomical quantities of pollen.
Although wind effectively helps to pollinate many types of trees and grasses, flowering plants that do not grow in high densities need a more efficient system. How is the pollen from such plants dispatched to other like plants that live miles away? By a very effective delivery service provided by bats, birds, and insects! But, of course, they don’t transport pollen from one flower to another without a reward.
Flowers offer these pollinators nectar—a tasty product that is hard for them to refuse. While reaching to sip the nectar, the visitor invariably gets a good dusting of pollen on its body. Seeking another taste of nectar, it then transports the pollen to the next flower. Insects do by far the most pollination, especially in temperate lands. They visit countless flowers every day while feeding on nectar and pollen. Fruit trees usually have flowers that depend on cross-pollination to produce a good crop. Hence, you can see how important the transportation of pollen is to our well-being.
NOTE: Fertilization can be either by cross-pollination (pollen delivered from another plants or self-pollination (pollen received from the same individual plant). Nevertheless, cross-pollination guarantees variety and thus healthier and more resilient plants.
The Pollinators
What exactly is pollen? Pollen is a powdery substance produced by flowering plants that contains male reproductive cells. Pollen consists of tiny grains that are produced in the male organs of flowering and cone-bearing plants. Simply stated, plants produce pollen in order to reproduce. As we know, in humans a female egg must be fertilized by a male sperm in order for a child to be produced. Similarly, the female organ of a flower (the pistil) needs pollen from the male organ (the stamen) in order to be fertilized and produce fruit.
Pollen grains are so tiny that we can hardly see them with the unaided eye; however, they become apparent under a microscope. In fact, a viewer can see that both the size and the shape are unique to each particular species. Since pollen is resistant to decay, it is significant that scientists often study the unique “fingerprint” of the pollen grains they unearth. They can thereby identify plants that people cultivated centuries ago. Importantly, the distinct characteristics of each type of pollen enable flowers to recognize the pollen of their own species.
Many plants depend on the air to transport their pollen after it is released from catkins or cones when they are jostled by the wind. Water also serves to transport the pollen of some water plants. Since wind pollination is a hit-and-miss affair, trees and plants that depend on this method of pollination produce astronomical quantities of pollen.
Although wind effectively helps to pollinate many types of trees and grasses, flowering plants that do not grow in high densities need a more efficient system. How is the pollen from such plants dispatched to other like plants that live miles away? By a very effective delivery service provided by bats, birds, and insects! But, of course, they don’t transport pollen from one flower to another without a reward.
Flowers offer these pollinators nectar—a tasty product that is hard for them to refuse. While reaching to sip the nectar, the visitor invariably gets a good dusting of pollen on its body. Seeking another taste of nectar, it then transports the pollen to the next flower. Insects do by far the most pollination, especially in temperate lands. They visit countless flowers every day while feeding on nectar and pollen. Fruit trees usually have flowers that depend on cross-pollination to produce a good crop. Hence, you can see how important the transportation of pollen is to our well-being.
NOTE: Fertilization can be either by cross-pollination (pollen delivered from another plants or self-pollination (pollen received from the same individual plant). Nevertheless, cross-pollination guarantees variety and thus healthier and more resilient plants.
The Pollinators
FLIES AND BEETLES
These are some of the unsung heroes of pollination. If you enjoy
chocolate, you can thank a tiny fly that does the vital job of pollinating the
flowers of the cacao tree.
BATS AND POSSUMS
BATS AND POSSUMS
A number of the world’s most majestic trees, such as the kapok and the
baobab, depend on bats for pollination. Some fruit bats not only feed on nectar
but also eat the fruit and disperse the seeds, thus performing a double
service. In Australia small marsupials known as possums visit flowers to feast
on nectar. During the course of their visits, their furry bodies transport
pollen from flower to flower.
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
These attractive insects depend largely on nectar for food, picking up pollen as they fly from one flower to another. Some beautiful orchids depend entirely on moths for successful pollination.
SUNBIRDS AND HUMMINGBIRDS
BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS
These attractive insects depend largely on nectar for food, picking up pollen as they fly from one flower to another. Some beautiful orchids depend entirely on moths for successful pollination.
SUNBIRDS AND HUMMINGBIRDS
These colorful birds constantly flit from flower to flower, sipping
nectar. Pollen gets deposited on the feathers of the birds’ forehead and
breast.
BEES AND WASPS
The hairy bodies of bees pick up pollen as
readily as a pair of spectacles picks up dust, making bees ideal pollinators.
Just one bumblebee can carry as many as 15,000 grains of pollen. The honeybee
is the world’s most important pollinator. It usually concentrates on only one
type of flower abundant near its hive.
BEES AND WASPS
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