Key Structures of an Insect-Pollinated Flower
- Insect-pollinated flowers have specialized structures to attract pollinators and ensure successful reproduction.
- Let's explore these features and their functions.
1. Petals
- Function: Attract pollinators with their bright colors and patterns.
- Adaptation: Often large and vividly colored to act as a visual signal for insects.
Sunflowers have ultraviolet patterns on their petals, visible only to insects like bees, guiding them to the nectar.
2. Nectaries
- Function: Produce nectar, a sugary solution that serves as a reward for pollinators.
- Adaptation: Positioned deep within the flower, ensuring insects brush against the anthers and stigma while collecting nectar.
Nectar is not just a reward, it's a strategy to ensure insects come into contact with the flower's reproductive parts.
3. Anthers and Filaments (Stamen)
- Anthers:
- Function: Produce and release pollen grains containing male gametes.
- Adaptation: Positioned to brush against visiting insects.
- Filaments:
- Function: Support the anthers.
- Adaptation: Hold anthers in a position accessible to pollinators.
Think of the filament as a flagpole and the anther as the flag. The flag (anther) needs to be high enough for the wind (insect) to catch it.
4. Stigma, Style, and Ovary (Carpel)
- Stigma:
- Function: Capture pollen from insects.
- Adaptation: Sticky or feathery surface to ensure pollen adherence.
- Style:
- Function: Connects the stigma to the ovary.
- Adaptation: Provides a pathway for the pollen tube to grow toward the ovary.
