Identify the set of correct statements: A. The flowers of Vallisneria are colorful and produce nectar. B. The flowers of waterlily are not pollinated by water. C. In most of water pollinated species, the pollen grains are protected from wetting. D. Pollen grains of some hydrophytes are long and ribbon like. E. In sumo hydrophytes, the pollen grains are carried passively inside water. Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (NEET 2024)

Solution & Explanation

Answer: C. Evaluating each statement against NCERT: A is FALSE — wind and water pollinated flowers (Vallisneria is water-pollinated) are not very colourful and do not produce nectar. B is TRUE — in water hyacinth and water lily flowers emerge above the water and are pollinated by insects or wind, not water. C is TRUE — in most water-pollinated species pollen is protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering. D is TRUE — in seagrasses pollen grains are long and ribbon-like. E is TRUE — such pollen is carried passively inside the water. Hence B, C, D and E are correct = option (c). NCERT: Ch 1, p.13, lines 40-47 — "Pollen grains in many such species are long, ribbon like and they are carried passively inside the water; some of them reach the stigma and achieve pollination. In most of the water-pollinated species, pollen grains are protected from wetting by a mucilaginous covering. Both wind and water pollinated flowers are not very colourful and do not produce nectar."