Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →

Facts on Sexual Reproduction in Plants

...
crocuses first flower spring flower image by Pali A from Fotolia.com

Although plants have male and female parts, sexual reproduction in the plant kingdom is wildly different than what you find in animals. Although male and female cells provide genetic material to a child plant much like the animal kingdom, this may be done asexually also. Plant sexual reproduction is highly complex and diverse.

Plant reproduction

In the plant kingdom, male and female cells called gametes form into a single cell called a zygote. This zygote will then divide itself. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, during asexual reproduction, in which a plant has both male and female parts, the child plant will resemble to parent plant identically. Sexual reproduction will create a plant that has traits of both parents.

  • Although plants have male and female parts, sexual reproduction in the plant kingdom is wildly different than what you find in animals.
  • According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, during asexual reproduction, in which a plant has both male and female parts, the child plant will resemble to parent plant identically.

Asexual Reproduction

Plants reproduce asexually by rooting themselves in new ways that spread the plant to new areas. The stem of a plant that has fallen over may take root, creating a new plant. Leaves that fall from the plant while young, or those clipped from a plant and dipped in rooting hormone will develop new roots. According to the University of California Museum of Paleontology's website, some plants are able to produce seeds without their flowers being fertilized. Portions of a plant's root split off from the plant and may grow into a new plant as well, especially in the case of weeds whose roots are rhizomes.

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction is accomplished when the female part of the plant is fertilized by the male. Pollen produced by the male part of one plant is transferred to the female reproductive organs of another plant. The eggs of the plant, stored in the stigma, style and ovary are pollinated by the pollen and produce seeds. In many cases, pollen is transferred on the wind or by insects that feed on the nectar of a plant, transferring the pollen when they fly from plant to plant.

  • Plants reproduce asexually by rooting themselves in new ways that spread the plant to new areas.
  • Leaves that fall from the plant while young, or those clipped from a plant and dipped in rooting hormone will develop new roots.

Seed

Sexual reproduction produces seeds in the plant, which are sent out on the air or dropped from the plant into the soil, where they grow into new plants. A seed will contain the genetic material of both parent plants. Seeds are the main mode of cross-breeding plant species.

Spores

Spores are also used by some plants, such as moss, to reproduce. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, spores are single cells that are produced through meiosis. Spores travel through the air and germinate when they land in a favorable location. Fungi also reproduce through this method.

  • Sexual reproduction produces seeds in the plant, which are sent out on the air or dropped from the plant into the soil, where they grow into new plants.

Related Articles

What Is the Function of Seeds and Spores in Plants?
What Is the Function of Seeds and Spores in Plants?
Life Cycle of a Heterosporous Plant
Life Cycle of a Heterosporous Plant
Ecological Uses of Seedless Vascular Plants
Ecological Uses of Seedless Vascular Plants
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
What Parts Do Non-Vascular Plants Have?
Life Cycle of a Rice Plant
Life Cycle of a Rice Plant
Life Cycle of a Nonvascular Plant
Life Cycle of a Nonvascular Plant
Why Does Moss Grow Close to the Ground?
Why Does Moss Grow Close to the Ground?
Plants That Do Not Need a Root System to Grow
Plants That Do Not Need a Root System to Grow
5 Different Stages of Flower Growth
5 Different Stages of Flower Growth
What Phylum Are Ferns In?
What Phylum Are Ferns In?
Difference Between Flowering & Non Flowering Plants
Difference Between Flowering & Non Flowering Plants
Which Organisms Are Characterized As Decomposers?
Which Organisms Are Characterized As Decomposers?
Characteristics That Plants Share With Algae
Characteristics That Plants Share With Algae
Parts of the Wheat Seed
Parts of the Wheat Seed
Characteristics of Green Algae & Plants
Characteristics of Green Algae & Plants
What Are the Nonessential Parts of Plants?
What Are the Nonessential Parts of Plants?
The Pros & Cons of Plant Cloning
The Pros & Cons of Plant Cloning
Pumpkin Plant Life Cycle
Pumpkin Plant Life Cycle
Garden Guides
×