Pollination is the first step in a complex process that results in the production of seeds. The Narcissus (daffodil) flower, shown here in cross-section, illustrates the process. 

Pollination mechanism – how pollen gets from the anther to the stigma and then how the pollen tube reaches the ovules in the ovary and produces seeds.  

Daffodil flower pollination

The daffodil flower is characterised by a short corolla tube and an extended corona so that bees – visiting to get pollen or nectar (located at the base of the corolla tube) – can enter the corolla but as they do so they dust the stigma with pollen from another flower,  before they contact the anthers to pick up more pollen and transfer it to another flower. This ensures cross-pollination.

daffodil anther pollination

Pollen grains are produced on the walls of the anthers. Each grain contains a pollen tube cell and two haploid sex cells (each has one set of male chromosomes). On reaching the stigma the pollen grain germinates and produces a pollen tube which then grows down the style to reach an ovule in the ovary.

daffodil ovule pollination

The pollen tube then enters the ovule and discharges the 2 sex cells into the embryo-sac. One male sex cell fuses with the egg cell to become an embryo and the other fuses with a second cell (with two haploid nuclei) and the triple haploid cell becomes the endosperm that provides nutrients for the growing embryo. This process known as ‘double fertilisation’, involves 2 sperm fertilising 2 egg cells. The process must be repeated for each ovule in the ovary. After fertilsation the ovary becomes a fruit and the ovules become the seeds within it.

Pollination – the transfer of pollen grains from the male anther to the female stigma. Click HERE to learn more about the sex of flowers. In Britain most pollen transport is carried out by insects but many trees and grasses rely on wind pollination. In the tropics insects, birds, bats and some mammals are important pollinators. Worldwide 87% of flowering species are pollinated by animals with 65% by insects.

Cross-pollination – the transfer of pollen from the anthers of one individual to the stigma of another individual of the same species. This is known as outcrossing and maximises genetic variability and prevents inbreeding.

Self-pollination – the transfer of pollen from the anthers to the stigma of the same flower or to a flower on the same plant. This results in inbreeding and reduction of variability but may still result in viable seeds. Some flowering plant species can switch from cross pollination to self pollination if there are few pollinators around. Often found in pioneer species.