The transfer of pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, enabling plants to reproduce and form seeds. This process can occur through wind, water, or animals like bees, birds, and butterflies.
From Latin 'pollen' meaning fine flour or dust, combined with the suffix '-ation' indicating a process. The term developed in botanical vocabulary during the 1600s as scientists began understanding plant reproduction mechanisms.
Pollination is the ultimate partnership between plants and animals! One-third of everything we eat depends on pollinators - without bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, we'd have no apples, almonds, coffee, or chocolate. Some plants have evolved incredibly specific relationships with their pollinators, like the yucca plant that can only be pollinated by one species of yucca moth, creating a perfect example of coevolution.
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