Question

Many of the flowering plants producing hermaphrodite flowers have developed many devices to discourage self-pollination and to encourage cross-pollination. Given below is a picture of one such outbreeding device in a flowering plant. Study the picture and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Explain how the given type of pollination is advantageous to the plant.

(b) Can this flowering plant show geitonogamy? Justify your answer.

Hint:

Dichogamy and herkogamy are common mechanisms to promote cross-pollination in hermaphrodite plants.

Answer 1

(A) In the given type, stigma becomes receptive when anthers are not shedding pollen and vice versa. This prevents self-pollination and promotes cross-pollination, which enhances genetic variation and adaptability.

(B) Yes, the plant can show geitonogamy because the flowers are on the same plant. Though genetically it resembles self-pollination, it functionally involves different flowers.