Hanblommorna

Hanblommorna (the male flowers) are the staminate flowers of flowering plants. They produce pollen but do not develop fruits themselves, as they lack functional pistils. In many species the flowers are small and inconspicuous; petals are often reduced or absent, and the primary function is pollen production and release.

Arrangement and occurrence: In many plants, hanblommorna appear in clusters or catkins, especially on wind-pollinated trees and shrubs. Common examples include willows (Salix), poplars (Populus), birches (Betula), alders (Alnus), and hazels (Corylus). Some plants are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals, in which case only male plants bear hanblommorna. Other species are monoecious, bearing both male and female flowers on the same plant but in distinct inflorescences.

Pollination and reproduction: Pollen produced by hanblommorna is dispersed by wind or, in some species, by insects. When pollen reaches compatible honblommorna (the female flowers), fertilization can occur, leading to seed and fruit development. The timing of male flowering often precedes or overlaps with female flowering, influencing pollination efficiency and crop yields in managed ecosystems.

Ecology and human relevance: Hanblommorna contribute to pollen loads that can affect allergy sufferers. In horticulture and agriculture, understanding the pattern of male flowering helps in pollination management, orchard timing, and crop production. The term is used in Swedish botany to distinguish the male flowers from the female ones.