Pollination

Pollination is a transfer of pollen grains from the male structure of a plant to the female structure of a plant. The pollen grains contain cells that will develop into male sex cells, or sperm. The female structure of a plant contains the female sex cells, or eggs. Pollination prepares the plant for fertilization, the union of the male and female sex cells. Virtually all grains, fruits, vegetables, wildflowers, and trees must be pollinated and fertilized to produce seed or fruit, and pollination is vital for the production of critically important agricultural crops, including corn, wheat, rice, apples, oranges, tomatoes, and squash.

Flowering plants use wind, insects, bats, mammals, and birds to transfer pollen from the stamen, or male portion of the flower, to the stigma, or female portion of the flower. Many plants have evolved closely with certain animals to ensure successful transfer of pollen. For example, many species of rain forest plants can only be pollinated by one particular species of insect, bird, or bat.