Pollination
What Is Pollination?
Word of the Week
Anther
The anther is the part of the flower that produces pollen! It is usually the top section of the stamen, which is the male part of the plant.
The anther on plants pollinated by wind often sticks out of the flower.
Species Spotlight
Carpenter Bee
Xylocopa ssp.
It is easy to be afraid if you see a huge, fuzzy bee flying right toward you! However, the carpenter bee is nothing to fear. Most species of carpenter bees are not aggressive and males typically do not have a stinger! Carpenter bees are named for their ability to burrow in wood or the ground. They dig long, thin tunnels where they hide out during the cold winter and where females will lay their eggs in the spring. They dig these impressive tunnels by rapidly vibrating their jaws, which drill through the wood! Their tunnels are up to 10-inches long.
During the warm months of the year, carpenter bees are very active and will fly from flower to flower in search of sweet nectar. Because of their large size, they can carry large amounts of pollen throughout the landscape! Carpenter bees, along with many other species of bees, are incredibly important pollinators of native plants and crops that humans rely on. It is thought that bees are responsible for pollinating up to 15% of the fruits and vegetables we all enjoy. Next time you see a large, hairy bee flying around, give it space to go about its business instead of being afraid.
BRAIN BLAST
How does the carpenter bee get its name? What is a carpenter and how does it relate to this species of bee?
Conservation Corner
Little Moth with a Big Job
Pollination is one of the most important mutualistic relationships in the world. As bees and butterflies travel between flowers drinking nectar, they pollinate plants which allows them to develop seeds. Most plants have several pollinators, but not all! Some species of yucca depend on a very particular moth species for pollination.
Yucca moths emerge from their cocoons right as yuccas begin to bloom. Once in their adult phase, they find a mate, breed on a yucca flower blossom, and the female will begin collecting pollen. She carries pollen from many different yucca plants to the pistil of a suitable flower where she will lay her eggs. When they hatch, the yucca moth caterpillars will feed on the seeds of the yucca plant until it is time for them to enter their cocoon. Thanks to this important relationship, the yucca plant can produce seeds and the yucca moth can feed its offspring.
Pollination Patrol
Decide if each characteristic below belongs to plants that are pollinated by wind or plants that are pollinated by animals by dragging them to the appropriate box.
Pollination Challenge
For this challenge, work in small groups if possible. You will need:
- Finger paint (to represent pollen)
- Beads (to represent nectar)
- Small paper cups
- Flower cutouts (attached below)
- Towels to wipe hands/washing station
Place the paper cups in the middle of each flower and pour a small amount of paint into each cup (make sure each flower has a different color). Add the beads to the paint cups.
Pretend your fingers are butterflies that feed on (beads)! Fly from flower to flower collecting one bead at a time. Once you have collected one bead from each flower, take a look at your flowers to see how much pollen (paint) has been transferred.
Glossary
Anther
The part of the stamen that produces pollen.
Cross-Pollination
Pollination that occurs between flowers on two different plants of the same species.
Nectar
A sweet, sugary liquid produced by flowers.
Ovary
The base of the stigma where the pollen travels to produce the seed.
Pistil
The female part of the flower.
Pollen
A small, grain-like substance produced by a flower's anther that is used in fertilization of the flower.
Pollination
The process of pollen being transferred between flowers to create fertile seeds.
Pollinator
An animal that carries pollen from flower to flower while feeding on nectar.
Seed Dispersal
The process of the seed being carried away from the mother plant.
Self-Pollination
Pollination that occurs when pollen is transferred between flowers on the same plant or even within the same flower.
Stamen
The male part of the flower.
Stigma
The part of the pistil that collects pollen to fertilize it.
Wind Pollination
The process of pollen being transferred between flowers by blowing in the wind.
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