That yellow dust on a flower is pollen. Each tiny grain is a traveler that helps flowers make seeds!
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A pollen grain is so small you need a microscope to see its shape. Inside each grain are a few tiny cells, including the plant's male cells.
Pollen has a very tough coat to keep those cells safe on the trip. Many pollen coats are covered in spikes, bumps, or patterns. Different kinds of plants have differently shaped pollen.
Press Cut it open on the 3D model to peek at the cells inside the tough coat.
For a flower to make seeds, pollen usually has to reach another flower of the same kind. This is called pollination. Pollen travels in different ways:
When a pollen grain lands on the right flower, it grows a long, thin pollen tube down into the flower. Then the flower can start making seeds.
Press Grow a pollen tube to watch the tube grow out of the grain.
Some people sneeze when there is lots of pollen in the air. This is called hay fever. Their body mistakes the harmless pollen for germs, which can cause sneezing and itchy, watery eyes.
Pollen coats are so tough that pollen can last in mud for thousands of years. Scientists study old pollen to learn which plants grew long ago!
Gently tap a flower like a lily over a sheet of white paper. Look at the pollen with a magnifying glass. (Lily pollen can stain clothes, so be careful!)
By SciShow Kids. A fun video for kids.
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