pollen

Everyday

1. Pollen is a fine yellow powder made by flowers. tree →
2. It must be carried from one flower to another, by insects or the wind, so the plant can make seeds. tree →

In the lessons

In science pollen is key to pollination: bees, butterflies and the wind carry pollen from the stamen of one flower to the stigma of another, and then seeds and fruit can grow. In everyday life pollen in the air can cause hay fever, with sneezing and itchy eyes, especially in spring and summer; weather reports give a «pollen count». Bees collect pollen as food and carry it on their legs.

Examples

• Bees carry pollen from flower to flower. tree →
• The lily left yellow pollen on my nose. tree →
• A high pollen count makes my hay fever worse. tree →
• Wind blows pollen from grasses and trees. tree →
• Without pollen, plants could not make seeds. tree →
• The bee's legs were covered in pollen. tree →
• Pollen is made in the stamens of a flower. tree →
• If you do this the pollen will cause your fur to grow again, and you will be quite well in a little while.” tree →

Note

Uncountable: «some pollen», not «a pollen» or «pollens» (scientists sometimes say «pollen grains»). Spelt with double l and -en. Pollen is not the same as nectar: nectar is the sweet liquid bees drink; pollen is the powder. «Pollinate» = carry pollen to a flower.