Pollination

Pollination is a very important step in the life of a flowering plant. It happens when pollen moves from one part of a flower to another. This allows the plant to make seeds. Without pollination, most fruits and vegetables could not grow.

How Pollination Works

Flowers have male parts that make pollen and female parts that receive it. Pollen needs to travel from the male part to the female part. Sometimes this happens within the same flower. Other times pollen travels between different flowers. Once pollen reaches the right spot, a seed can begin to form.

Who Are the Pollinators

Many animals help with pollination. Bees are the most important pollinators. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats also carry pollen between flowers. Wind pollinates many grasses and trees. Even water can carry pollen for some water plants. Without these helpers, many plants could not reproduce.

Fun Facts

• A single honeybee can visit up to 5,000 flowers in one day.
• About 75 percent of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators.
• Chocolate comes from cacao trees that are pollinated by tiny flies called midges.

Did You Know?

Some flowers trick insects into visiting them by looking or smelling like something else. The bee orchid looks just like a female bee, so male bees try to visit it and end up spreading pollen!