Reproduction in Plants

Core concept

Sexual reproduction in flowering plants begins with pollination — the transfer of pollen from the male anther to the female stigma, often aided by wind, insects, or birds — followed by fertilisation, forming a seed capable of growing into a new plant. Asexual reproduction is often used in agriculture and gardening because it produces plants identical to the parent quickly — for instance, a potato reproduces asexually through 'eyes' (small buds) on its surface that can grow into entirely new plants.