Insect pollinated (entomophilous) flowers are characterised by

Options

A. large number of pollens
B. dry and smooth of pollens
C. sticky pollens
D. exserted stigmas

Answer

To answer the question regarding the characteristics of insect-pollinated (entomophilous) flowers, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Entomophily**:
- Entomophilous flowers are those that are pollinated by insects. This type of pollination is crucial for many flowering plants.

2. **Identifying Key Characteristics**:
- These flowers typically exhibit certain traits that attract insects. Common characteristics include:
- Bright colors to attract pollinators.
- Pleasant fragrances to lure insects.
- Nectar production to provide a food source for the pollinators.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- The question provides four options:
- A) Large number of pollens
- B) Dry and smooth pollens
- C) Sticky pollens
- D) Exerted stigmas
- We need to evaluate which of these options is characteristic of entomophilous flowers.

4. **Evaluating Each Option**:
- **A) Large number of pollens**: This is more typical of wind-pollinated (anemophilous) flowers, which produce a large quantity of lightweight pollen.
- **B) Dry and smooth pollens**: This characteristic is also associated with wind-pollinated flowers, as smooth and dry pollen can be easily carried by the wind.
- **C) Sticky pollens**: This is a characteristic of entomophilous flowers. Sticky pollen helps adhere to the bodies of insects, ensuring effective pollination.
- **D) Exerted stigmas**: While some flowers may have exerted stigmas, this feature is not specifically indicative of insect-pollinated flowers.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Based on the analysis, the correct answer is **C) Sticky pollens**. This characteristic is essential for the successful pollination of entomophilous flowers, as it allows pollen to stick to insects that visit the flowers.