Pollination

Pollination is the process that gives rise to fertilization. The most effective pollination-called cross pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from one plant to another. Since plants are immobile organisms, they must rely on external agents (such as insects, birds, or wind) for cross-pollination. These agents move pollen from one plant's stamens (male organs), where pollen is produced, to another plant's pistils (female organs), where fertilization takes place.

Some plants are able to self-pollinate, meaning they transfer their own pollen from stamens to pistils. Cross-pollination, however, has been shown to be superior to self-pollination, since it introduces new genetic material and creates heartier offspring, in general.

The structure of a cross-pollinating plant is closely linked with its method of pollination