Pollen

plants · reproduction · nature

Flower powder. Pollen is a tiny, powdery substance made by flowers and other plants. Each grain is so small you can barely see one by itself, but millions together create that visible golden dust.

Plant sperm cells. Pollen grains contain male cells that plants need to make seeds. When pollen reaches a flower's female parts, it fertilizes them and a new plant can grow.

Hitching rides. Pollen travels in clever ways to get where it needs to go. Wind carries it through the air, insects pick it up on their fuzzy bodies while drinking nectar, and water can float it along too.

Allergy culprit. Some pollen triggers allergies in people because their bodies react too strongly to the tiny grains in the air. Spring and fall are peak pollen seasons for many places.

Bee's treasure. Bees collect pollen on their legs in special pouches called pollen baskets. They take it back to their hives to feed their families and accidentally pollinate flowers in the process.