Track the life cycle of a dandelion flower to analyze its pollination and seed dispersal methods
Dandelions (Taraxacum) are capable of both self-pollination and cross-pollination. Feathery seeds are produced to be dispersed by wind. (Time-lapse and realtime photography)
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Transcript
NARRATOR: Dandelion plants normally produce their seeds by using pollen derived from other dandelion plants. This process is known as cross-pollination.
The head of the dandelion is actually made up of many tiny flowers tightly packed together. Such flowers are known as composites. In the sunlight the outer flowers on the dandelion head begin to open, and tiny pistils emerge from among the anthers. As they move past the anthers, the pistils collect pollen and lift it up to be carried away to other plants. Later the stigmas at the top of the pistils separate. Now their inner surfaces can receive pollen from another dandelion plant.
Some of the stigmas may not receive pollen from another plant. The next morning, these stigmas begin to curl around. As they do so, they pick up the pollen collected on their own styles. For the dandelion, self-pollination is a last resort if cross-pollination does not take place.
Once pollinated, the dandelion, with its hundred or more flowers, closes to develop new seeds. When the dandelion reopens, its head contains hundreds of tiny feathery parachutes. Each one is attached to a single seed. The parachutes help the wind carry the seeds away to places where they can grow.
The head of the dandelion is actually made up of many tiny flowers tightly packed together. Such flowers are known as composites. In the sunlight the outer flowers on the dandelion head begin to open, and tiny pistils emerge from among the anthers. As they move past the anthers, the pistils collect pollen and lift it up to be carried away to other plants. Later the stigmas at the top of the pistils separate. Now their inner surfaces can receive pollen from another dandelion plant.
Some of the stigmas may not receive pollen from another plant. The next morning, these stigmas begin to curl around. As they do so, they pick up the pollen collected on their own styles. For the dandelion, self-pollination is a last resort if cross-pollination does not take place.
Once pollinated, the dandelion, with its hundred or more flowers, closes to develop new seeds. When the dandelion reopens, its head contains hundreds of tiny feathery parachutes. Each one is attached to a single seed. The parachutes help the wind carry the seeds away to places where they can grow.
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