1. Floral Changes:
* Petal Drop: Many flowers lose their petals after pollination, as they are no longer needed to attract pollinators. This is a common observation in flowers like roses, tulips, and lilies.
* Color Change: Some flowers change color after pollination, acting as a signal to pollinators that the flower is no longer fertile. For example, the petals of certain hibiscus flowers change from vibrant colors to duller shades after pollination.
* Withering: Pollinated flowers often start to wither and droop, indicating their reproductive cycle is complete.
2. Fruit Development:
* Fruit Formation: The most significant change after pollination is the development of fruits. Pollination triggers the ovary to swell and produce fruits, which contain seeds. This is a dramatic change in appearance, transforming from a flower to a fruit.
* Fruit Color: The color of the fruit is also influenced by pollination. For example, unpollinated tomatoes may stay green, while pollinated tomatoes ripen to red.
3. Other Changes:
* Seed Development: After pollination, the ovules in the flower develop into seeds, which are essential for the plant's reproduction.
* Stem and Leaf Growth: In some plants, pollination can trigger changes in stem and leaf growth. For instance, some plants may experience an increase in stem length or leaf production after successful pollination.
Overall:
While not a drastic visual transformation, pollination does influence a plant's appearance by causing:
* Flower senescence: Petal drop, color change, and wilting.
* Fruit development: Formation, color, and seed production.
* Growth changes: Some stem or leaf growth alterations.
It's crucial to remember that these changes vary widely across plant species. Some plants show dramatic transformations after pollination, while others experience more subtle changes.
