plunger pollination
Quick Summary
Plunger pollination, also known as secondary pollination, is a unique method of plant reproduction found in angiosperms, particularly within the Asteraceae family. In this system, the stamens form a tube around the immature style, with their pollen-producing surfaces facing inward. As the style elongates, it pushes the pollen out on specialized hairs beneath the stigma. This mechanism facilitates outcrossing by presenting pollen to pollinators while the stigma is still unreceptive. Once the stigma becomes receptive, it waits for external pollen before curling down to self-pollinate, ensuring seed production. This process is commonly aided by insects.1
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AsteraceaePollination…pollination known as plunger, or secondary, pollination. In this system the flowers are such that the stamens form a tube around the immature style, with their pollen surfaces facing inward. As the style elongates within the tube of anthers, it pushes the pollen out on specialized hairs located beneath the…
Read More…pollination known as plunger, or secondary, pollination. In this system the flowers are such that the stamens form a tube around the immature style, with their pollen surfaces facing inward. As the style elongates within the tube of anthers, it pushes the pollen out on specialized hairs located beneath the…
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Asterales…a specialized mechanism known as plunger pollination.
Read More…a specialized mechanism known as plunger pollination.
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AsteralesCampanulaceae…with an inferior ovary and plunger pollination mechanism. The fruits ripen in dry (capsule) or fleshy (berry) form, producing many small seeds. In bellflowers the flowers are bell-shaped and radially symmetrical (all petals alike in shape and size), and the anthers are separate, with the pollen held by hairs along…
Read More…with an inferior ovary and plunger pollination mechanism. The fruits ripen in dry (capsule) or fleshy (berry) form, producing many small seeds. In bellflowers the flowers are bell-shaped and radially symmetrical (all petals alike in shape and size), and the anthers are separate, with the pollen held by hairs along…
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AsteralesOther families…bilaterally symmetric flowers with a plunger pollination mechanism, and an inferior ovary. The corolla is often divided to the base on one side, and the petals have marginal wings that may make each look trilobed. Several herbaceous species of Scaevola are important ornamentals, especially as basket plants.
Read More…bilaterally symmetric flowers with a plunger pollination mechanism, and an inferior ovary. The corolla is often divided to the base on one side, and the petals have marginal wings that may make each look trilobed. Several herbaceous species of Scaevola are important ornamentals, especially as basket plants.
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