How does wind-pollination occur?

Wind-pollination occurs when pollen grains are transferred from the male parts of a flower to the female parts of another flower, primarily through the action of the wind. In this process, plants have adapted to produce lightweight pollen that can be easily carried over long distances by air currents. When the wind blows, it lifts these pollen grains, allowing them to drift and potentially land on the stigma of suitable plants of the same species.

This method of pollination is particularly beneficial for plants that may not have easy access to pollinators like bees or other insects. Many wind-pollinated plants also have additional adaptations such as inconspicuous flowers, which do not need to attract pollinators, and large quantities of pollen, maximizing the chance of successful pollination despite the randomness of wind dispersal.

Other options suggest mechanisms of pollination that involve animals or water, which are not relevant to the process of wind-pollination specifically.