Plant Reproduction

Evolution of Flowering Plants

Flowering plants have been around for a really long time. Scientists think they evolved over 200 million years ago. Fossil flowers have male and female reproductive organs just like today. There have been changes over time as plants evolved new and better traits to help them reproduce. From fossil evidence, the ancient plants did not have petals or sepals as they do today.

Just like now, the earliest flowers most likely attracted insects and other animals. The insects and animals spread the pollen from flower to flower. This was a big help to flowers. Animals can be better than the wind at carrying pollen. Wind-spread pollen may or may not land on another flower. To take better advantage of this “animal labor,” plants evolved certain traits. These traits can include brightly colored petals, strong scents, and sweet nectar. These are all traits that help attract animals. The flowers are able to move around their pollen. The animals get a free meal.

Other plants developed additional traits that helped them reproduce.

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Dandelion seeds have tiny “parachutes.”
Maple seeds have “wings” that act like little gliders.
Burdock seeds are covered with tiny hooks that cling to animal fur.

Some plants rely on seeds getting stuck in animal fur. Once stuck, the seeds are carried off to another location. Eventually, the seeds fall off.

Other plants developed traits to better disperse their seeds using the wind. With time, plants develop better and better traits to help them reproduce.