Flower Pollination and fertilization

Pollination 

Insects such as bees and beetles are drawn to flowers for food, seeking out pollen and nectar based on their bright colours, appealing scents, and distinctive patterns. Many flowers have specialized landing areas for these pollinators. As insects gather pollen, they inadvertently aid in the fertilization of other plants. While roses and poppies generate abundant pollen but lack nectar, encouraging insects to hop from one bloom to another, some plants only provide small quantities of nectar. Conversely, plants feature designated spots for nectar. Additionally, honeysuckle flowers are designed to allow moths to extract nectar without needing to land.

Wind Pollination 

Numerous trees and plants depend on the wind for their pollination needs. Flowers that are wind-pollinated have adapted by developing minimal or no petals and elongated structures designed to release their pollen effectively. Their feathery stigmas help capture pollen carried by the breeze.

Bird Pollination 

Some tropical plants rely on birds for pollination, particularly those with bright coloured flowers that catch the birds' attention. In North America, for instance, fuchsia flowers are  loved by hummingbirds as they offer enticing nectar. These bird-pollinated varieties typically feature downward-facing blooms, elongated parts, and produce generous amounts of nectar, often without any scent.

Pollination by Bats 

Did you know bats play a crucial role in pollinating tropical plants like eucalyptus and mango. The flowers they pollinate are usually shaped like bells and can send off a musky fragrance that attracts them. Bats find these flowers through smell and they are able to either hover near them or land on them, transferring pollen to their fur in the process. Interestingly, some cacti that bloom at night delay the growth of spines until they have been pollinated to ensure that bats can safely access their nectar. Certain plants also bloom before their leaves appear, helping to prevent bats from becoming caught in the foliage.

Self-Pollination 

A number of plants can fertilize themselves without relying on pollen from others. The British bee orchid, for example, has features that allow its pollen to fall directly onto its stigma. The marsh marigold takes advantage of rainwater falling into the flower and raising the pollen to the to the stigma. Some varieties of flowers, can self-pollinate without opening their flowers. Additionally, dandelions are capable of creating seeds without requiring fertilization, resulting in offspring that are genetic duplicates of the original plant.

Fertilization 

Fertilization occurs when the nuclei of male and female reproductive cells come together. The process begins when pollen grains land on the stigma, prompting the growth of a tube that extends into the ovary and reaches the ovule. The male nucleus divides: one part forms the embryo, while the other develops into endosperm, which provides nourishment to the embryo. This dual process ensures that the ovule matures into a seed, and the ovary may transform into fruit. The duration between pollination and fertilization can vary significantly, taking anywhere from a few hours in some flowering plants to up to a year in certain trees.