Anemophily

Wind-pollination (anemophily) syndrome

The flowers of wind-pollinated flowering plants, such as this saw-tooth oak (Quercus acutissima), are less showy than insect-pollinated flowers.

Anemophilous plants, such as this pine (Pinus) produce large quantities of pollen, which is carried on the wind.

Anemophily or wind pollination is a form of pollination whereby pollen is distributed by wind.^[1] Almost all gymnosperms are anemophilous, as are many plants in the order Poales, including grasses, sedges, and rushes.^[1] Other common anemophilous plants are oaks, pecans, pistachios, sweet chestnuts, alders and members of the family Juglandaceae (hickory or walnut family).^[2] Approximately 12% of plants across the globe are pollinated by anemophily, including cereal crops like rice and corn and other prominent crop plants like wheat, rye, barley, and oats.^[3] In addition, many pines, spruces, and firs are wind-pollinated.^[2]