Pollination and seed dispersal are processes that plants rely on to make new plants. Animals, wind and water can all help plants move their pollen and seeds around.
To better understand how pollination and seed dispersal worksā¦
LETāS BREAK IT DOWN!
Pollen is a powder found inside flowers.
Plants need help from animals to move pollen from one plant to another. An animal that moves pollen from one place to another is called a pollinator.
Bees help to move pollen from one plant to another.
When a bee drinks nectar from one flower, pollen sticks to its legs and body. When the bee flies to a new plant, some of the pollen rubs off on the new flower.
Wind helps move seeds from one place to another.
Moving seeds around is called dispersal. When you blow on a dandelion you are helping to disperse the dandelion seeds. This usually happens with the help of wind.
Another way seeds move is with help from animals.
Animals often eat fruits and seeds. They then move to a new area where they poop out the seeds. New plants grow from the seeds! The poop is like fertilizer.
Some seeds look a lot like Velcro.
Some seeds have tiny hooks that help them stick to the fur of animals. Animals such as dogs or sheep can then move to a new place where the seeds fall off and grow.