Pollination of orchidsThe pollination of orchids represents a complex aspect of the biology of this plant family, characterized by intricate flower structures and diverse ecological interactions with pollinator. Notably, the topic has garnered significant scientific interest over time, including the attention of Charles Darwin, who is recognized for his contributions to the theory of evolution by natural selection.
OrchidFamily of flowering plants in the order AsparagalesOrchids are plants that belong to the familyOrchidaceae (), a diverse and widespread group of flowering plants with blooms that are often colourful and fragrant. Orchids are cosmopolitan plants, living in diverse habitats on every continent except Antarctica. The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is in the tropics. Many species are epiphytes, living on trees.
Column (botany)The column, or technically the gynostemium, is a reproductive structure that can be found in several plant families: Aristolochiaceae, Orchidaceae, and Stylidiaceae. It is derived from the fusion of both male and female parts (stamens and pistil) into a single organ. The top part of the column is formed by the anther, which is covered by an anther cap. This means that the style and stigma of the pistil, with the filaments and one or more anthers, are all united.
AsclepiadoideaeThe Asclepiadoideae are a subfamily of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae. Formerly, these plants together with those now in the Apocynaceae subfamilies Periplocoideae and Secamonoideae were treated as a separate family under the name Asclepiadaceae, e.g. by APG II, and known as the milkweed family. They form a group of perennial herbs, twining shrubs, lianas or rarely trees but notably also contain a significant number of leafless stem succulents.
PollenPollen is a powdery substance produced by most types of flowers of seed plants for the purpose of sexual reproduction. It consists of pollen grains (highly reduced microgametophytes), which produce male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen grains have a hard coat made of sporopollenin that protects the gametophytes during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants, or from the male cone to the female cone of gymnosperms.
Stigma (botany)The stigma (pl.: stigmas or stigmata) is the receptive tip of a carpel, or of several fused carpels, in the gynoecium of a flower. DescriptionThe stigma, along with the style and ovary (typically called the stigma-style-ovary system) constitute the pistil, which is part of the gynoecium or the receptive female reproductive organ of a plant; in animals, this organ is equivalent to the vagina, cervix, and oviduct.
PollinationBiological process occurring in plantsDiagram illustrating the process of pollinationFemale carpenter bee with pollen collected from a night-blooming cereusPollination is the transfer of pollen from an anther of a plant to the stigma of a plant, later enabling fertilisation and the production of seeds. Pollinating agents can be animals such as insects, for example bees, beetles or butterflies; birds, and bats; water; wind; and even plants themselves.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.