pollinarium

The term "pollinarium" refers to a structure in certain plants, particularly orchids, that contains pollen. It is essentially a collection of pollinia, which are masses of pollen grains bound together by sticky threads.12

In orchids, the pollinarium is a specialized adaptation for pollination. The pollinia are typically attached to a sticky pad called a viscidium, which aids in their transfer to a pollinator. This structure is crucial for the reproductive process of these plants. For example, in the genus Ophrys, flowers mimic female bees to attract male bees. When a male bee attempts to mate with the flower, the pollinia attach to its body, facilitating pollination when the bee visits another flower. This intricate relationship highlights the diverse strategies plants employ to ensure their reproduction.1345