Plant Reproduction

This lesson covers: 

  1. The parts of a flower involved in reproduction
  2. Self-pollination and cross-pollination
  3. Features of insect and wind-pollinated flowers

Flower structure

The flower contains the reproductive organs of the plant.

Diagram showing the structure of a flower including stamen, anther, filament, carpel, stigma, style, ovary, ovule, petal, and sepal.

1. Stamens - The male parts, consisting of anthers and filaments.

  • Anthers - Produce pollen grains that contain male gametes (sex cells).
  • Filament - Holds the anthers.


2. Carpels - The female parts, containing the stigma, style and ovary.

  • Ovary - Contains the female gametes within ovules.
  • Style - Holds the stigma.
  • Stigma - Receives the pollen during pollination.


3. Petals - Often brightly coloured to attract pollinators.


4. Sepals - Protect flower buds by surrounding the reproductive parts.

Pollination transfer pollen from anther to stigma

For seeds to form, male and female gametes must join. This requires pollen transfer from anthers to stigma in a process called pollination.

Diagram showing self-pollination and cross-pollination in plants with pollen transfer from anther to stigma.

There are two types of pollination:

  1. Self-pollination - Pollen moves from anther to stigma on the same plant.
  2. Cross-pollination - Pollen is transferred between different plants by insects or wind.

Insect pollination

Diagram of a flower adapted for insect pollination showing bright colourful petals, sticky stigma, nectar, and scent.

Flowers adapted to insect pollination typically have:

  • Bright, colourful petals.
  • Scent and nectar to attract and reward insects.
  • A sticky stigma that captures pollen from insects.

Wind pollination

Diagram illustrating wind pollination with long filaments, feathery stigma, and dull coloured petals.

Flowers adapted to wind pollination typically have:

  • Small, dull petals.
  • No scent or nectar.
  • Long filaments to expose anthers containing pollen.
  • A feathery stigma that catches wind-blown pollen.