Q.A particular species of plant produces light, non-sticky pollen in large numbers and its stigmas are long and feathery. These modifications facilitate pollination by:

The question describes two key adaptations: light, non-sticky pollen produced in enormous quantities, and long, feathery stigmas. These are classic hallmarks of wind pollination (anemophily).

Wind-pollinated flowers don't need to attract animal vectors, so they invest in sheer numbers instead. The pollen grains are small and light enough to be carried by air currents over long distances. Because they're non-sticky, they remain airborne rather than clumping together. The feathery stigmas increase the surface area exposed to the wind, acting like nets that trap drifting pollen grains efficiently. …

The question describes a plant with three telling characteristics: pollen that is light and non-sticky, produced in enormous numbers, and stigmas that are long and feathery. Each of these features is a deliberate evolutionary adaptation that reveals the plant's pollination strategy.

Wind-pollinated plants face a fundamental challenge. Unlike animal pollinators that actively seek out flowers, wind is entirely random and indiscriminate. A grain of pollen released into the air has an extremely low probability of landing on the stigma of another flower of the same species. The plant must overcome this statistical problem through sheer volume and design.

The light, non-sticky pollen is engineered for air travel. Heavy or sticky pollen would clump together or fall quickly to the ground, never catching air currents. Wind-pollinated species produce pollen grains that are smooth, dry, and small enough to remain airborne for long distances. The non-sticky surface ensures individual grains disperse rather than aggregate.

Producing pollen in vast numbers is a numbers game. Since most pollen grains will land on the wrong surface—soil, leaves, water, or flowers of different species—the plant compensates by releasing millions of grains. This profligate strategy ensures that despite enormous wastage, enough grains will eventually reach a receptive stigma. In contrast, insect-pollinated plants produce far less pollen because the pollinator delivers it directly.

The long, feathery stigmas act as aerial nets. Their large surface area and branching, hair-like projections increase the chance of intercepting pollen grains drifting past on air currents. These stigmas often protrude outside the flower, exposed to the wind, maximizing contact with airborne pollen. …