Question

The flower has an enlarged petal that traps a bee after it walks through in the petal. As the bee escapes, it squeezes under a staminode, then rubs against a sticky mass of pollen. This plant is a(n) ________.

1) Carnivorous plant
2) Insectivorous plant
3) Parasitic plant
4) Pollinator plant

Answer 1

The plant described is a pollinator plant, which has evolved features, such as colorful petals and nectar, to attract pollinators like bees to help in the transfer of pollen for reproduction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The plant described in the question is a pollinator plant. The enlarged petal and the process it uses to get the bee to pick up the pollen are adaptations for pollination, rather than for capturing and digesting insects, which would characterize insectivorous plants like the Venus flytrap or pitcher plant. Such plants have evolved mechanisms to ensure the transfer of pollen from one bloom to another via pollinators like bees, birds, or other animals. The colorful petals and nectar production are key features in attracting pollinators and facilitating the reproductive process of angiosperms.