Question

Which of the following is pollinated with water?
(a)Viola
(b)Yucca
(c)Oxalis
(d)Commelina
(e)Zostera

Answer 1

Hint: The plant in which water pollination is found is also called eelgrass and the shape of the pollen is ribbon-like. The longest pollen grains are found in this plant.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Zostera is a marine seagrass in which pollination is done by water. Pollens are released in water and are captured by the stigma. This type of pollination is known as hydrophily.

Additional Information:
Adaptations for pollination through water
-Flowers are small and inconspicuous
-There is no color fragrance and nectar present in the flower
-The floral parts and the pollen grains are water-resistant hence unwettable.
-A large number of pollen grains are produced to compensate for the loss through the water.
-On maturation, male flowers get detached and float to the female flower
-In Yucca, the flowers are insect-pollinated by the yucca moth. While in Oxalis and Commelina there is no need for a medium as they are closed flowers hence there is no chance of cross-pollination in them.
So, the correct answer is, ‘Zostera.’

Note: Pollination through water can further be classified into surface pollination and submerged pollination.
In surface pollination, pollen grains float on the surface and reach the stigma of the female flower-like in Vallisneria.
While in submerged pollination pollen grains are heavier than water they sink and get caught by stigmas of the extremely simple female flowers like in water lily.

Pollination is done by several other agencies-
Through air - Anemophily
Through Insect - Entomophily