15
(^4) TRANSFERRING
POLLEN
Insects such as butterflies
often drink nectar from one
type of flower. Hummingbirds do
the same, because their bills are
the right shape to reach the
nectar. The bird and the insect get
dusted with pollen in the process,
and carry it directly to another
flower of the same type.
(^5) FERTILIZATION
If a hummingbird sips nectar from this lily, it will pick up
pollen on its breast feathers. If the bird visits another lily,
the sticky central stigma may pick up the pollen. Each pollen
grain then sprouts a long tube that grows down through the
carpel to reach an ovule. The male cell moves down the tube
to fertilize the ovule so it can develop into a seed.
Ovary at base of carpel
contains ovules that will
become seeds if fertilized
Sticky stigma traps
pollen carried to flower
by insects and birds
Anther is loaded with
minute pollen grains
containing male cells
Bright line at base of
petal guides the
insect or bird
towards the nectar
Filament
5
(^42)
Style
014_015_Flowers.indd 15 03/01/19 12:09 PM