What is pollination?

Pollination is the process in which pollen grains from the anther of a flower are transferred to the stigma of the same or another flower. The male reproductive cells of the flower are found inside the pollen grains.

Pollination is very important. It brings the male reproductive cells to the female parts of a flower so that the plant can produce seeds. Look at the picture below. Can you see the anther and the stigma. Can you see the pollen on the anther?

 

It is important to know the difference between self pollination and cross pollination.

Self pollination: Self pollination happens when pollen grains from the anther of a flower are transferred to the stigma of the same flower or another flower on the same plant. Self pollination happens in plants such as tomatoes, peanuts and okra.

Cross pollination: Cross pollination happens when pollen from the anther of one flower is transferred to the stigma of another flower on a different plant of the same species. Cross pollination happens in plants such as corn, watermelon and papaya.