anemofilia

Anemofilia, often rendered anemophily in English, is a term used in botany to describe wind pollination, a reproductive strategy in which pollen is dispersed by air currents rather than by animals. It is characteristic of plants that have small, inconspicuous flowers and typically little or no nectar or fragrance.

Pollen characteristics and floral traits associated with anemophily include the production of large quantities of light, air-dispersed pollen and stigmas that are highly receptive and well adapted to catching airborne pollen. Flowers are often reduced or arranged to minimize energy spent on attracting pollinators, and anthers and stigmas may be exposed or extended to maximize pollen release and capture.

Ecology and evolution: Anemophilous species tend to inhabit open, windy environments where animal pollinators are less reliable. This pollination strategy is common among grasses and many trees and shrubs, including oaks, birches, alders, poplars, willows, and pines. Wind pollination reduces dependence on pollinators but increases pollen loss and requires timing of flowering with favorable wind and atmospheric conditions. Plants may compensate with high pollen production and structures that improve pollen capture.

Advantages and limitations: The main advantage is the absence of reliance on pollinator networks, which can be disrupted by environmental change. The main limitations are variable wind conditions and significant pollen wastage, making wind pollination efficient primarily in habitats where pollen can travel and deposition rates are high.

See also: pollination, anemophily, entomophily.