Plant Reproduction (600-700)_04

Plants have all the parts they need to create offspring. That does not mean that plants do not need help. The help comes in several forms. For some plants, it is the wind that carries the pollen. Others rely on the work of animals.

Animals are drawn to plants in a couple of ways. Some flowers have strong scents. Others have brightly colored flowers. Still others have tasty fruit.

For your mother’s plants, the bright colors of the plants attract the butterflies. When they see those colors, they know sweet nectar is waiting for them. As they drink, they pick up pollen from the plant’s anther. From flower to flower they fly looking for more nectar. At each flower, they deposit pollen on the plant’s stigma. In doing so, they pollinate the flower’s eggs. The flower will now be able to grow fruit.

Mom is not worried about how this works. She just wants butterflies in her yard. But in case she asks, you are now ready to explain it to her. For now, the new flowers look great. She will be even happier when the butterflies arrive.