Observations on the Pollination in Nechamandra alternifolia (Roxb.) Thw.

While studying the ecology of low lying lands in and around Calcutta, some observations were made on the mechanism of pollination in Nechamandra alternifolia, a common aquatic herb of Hydrocharitaceae. The mode of pollination in this plant indicates that the phenomenon is little influenced by the surface depression formed by tepals of the pistillate flowers. It takes place by the direct contact of the anthers of the floating male flowers on a calm surface of water with die stigmatic lobes of the female flower.