Wind and Water: Abiotic Pollination

Abstract

This chapter examines abiotic pollination via wind or water. It begins with a discussion of wind pollination or anemophily, which is a common occurrence in modern plants, especially in most gymnosperms, in the catkin-bearing angiosperm trees, and in cereals (Poaceae and Cyperaceae). Anemophily is predominantly a derived condition in angiosperms, associated with ecological conditions where zoophily is difficult. Transition from zoophily to anemophily has occurred at least sixty-five times in such circumstances. The chapter looks at wind-pollinated angiosperm and conifer flowers and goes on to consider critical factors affecting pollen movement in anemophilous plants. It concludes with an overview of hydrophily, or water pollination.