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Main article: Pollination syndrome

Hydrophily is a fairly uncommon form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by the flow of waters, particularly in rivers and streams. Hydrophilous species fall into two categories: those that distribute their pollen to the surface of water, and those that distribute it beneath the surface.

Surface pollination is more frequent,[1] and appears to be a transitional phase between wind pollination and true hydrophily. In these the pollen floats on the surface and reaches the stigmas of the female flowers as in Callitriche, Ruppia, Zostera, Elodea. In Vallisneria the male flowers become detached and float on the surface of the water; the anthers are thus brought in contact with the stigmas of the female flowers.[1] Surface hydrophily has been observed in several species of Potamogeton as well as some marine species.

Species exhibiting true submerged hydrophily include Najas, where the pollen grains are heavier than water, and sinking down are caught by the stigmas of the extremely simple female flowers,[1] Posidonia australis and Zostera marina.[2]


  1. ^ a b c "Pollination". Encyclopedia Britanica 1911. Retrieved 2013-12-19. 
  2. ^ Cox, P.A. (1988). Hydrophilous pollination. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 19(1): 261–279.