Question:medium

Refer to the given characteristics of some flowers: I. Flowers are small. They are often packed in inflorescence.
II. Flowers are colourless, nectarless and odourless.
III. Well exposed stamens.
IV. Pollen grains produced in large number, light and non-sticky.
V. Flowers often have a single ovule in each ovary.
VI. Stigma large, often feathery. The above features are the characteristics of

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Anemophilous flowers are small, colourless, nectarless, with exposed stamens and feathery stigma.
Updated On: May 30, 2026
  • Self-pollination
  • Anemophily (pollination by wind)
  • Ornithophily (pollination by birds)
  • Entomophily (pollination by insects)
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1 : Understanding the Question
This question provides a comprehensive list of morphological and physiological traits and asks to identify which mode of pollination they characterize. These traits represent an evolutionary compromise: because the pollinating agent (in this case, an abiotic one) cannot "see" or "smell" the flower, the plant diverts energy away from visual/olfactory attraction and toward maximizing the efficiency of physical transport and capture.
Step 2 : Detailed Explanation

Inconspicuousness (I and II): Wind does not have eyes or a sense of smell. Therefore, anemophilous flowers are small, grouped into inflorescences (to increase the "target" size for catching wind), and lack color, nectar, or scent. This is a way for the plant to conserve energy.

Stamen Exposure (III): To release pollen into the air, anthers must be held outside the flower, often on long, flexible filaments that sway in the breeze. This ensures that even a light wind can dislodge the pollen grains.

Pollen Strategy (IV): Since wind pollination is a random game of chance, producing "large numbers" of pollen is essential for reproductive success. Being "light" and "non-sticky" prevents the grains from clumping and allows them to travel further.

Single Ovule (V): Having a single ovule per ovary is common in wind-pollinated plants (like grasses). Since it is rare for multiple pollen grains to hit the same small stigma, the plant invests in only one seed per flower to avoid wasting resources.

Stigma Adaptation (VI): A feathery stigma is the "aerial net" of the plant world. It maximizes the surface area to catch floating pollen as it passes by.

Conclusion: All these points together form the textbook definition of Anemophily.


Step 3 : Final Answer
The list describes the specialized morphological adaptations for wind-mediated pollen transfer. Thus, the correct answer is (B) Anemophily.
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