Apple trees have both male and female reproductive structures within the same flower, making them self-fertile. Each apple tree produces flowers that contain both male stamens and female pistils. The stamens, which consist of the anther and filament, are responsible for producing pollen, while the pistil consists of the stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma of the pistil receives pollen from the anther, allowing for pollination to occur.
Read a related post: Which tree gives 100% oxygen?
Once pollination takes place, fertilization occurs within the ovary, resulting in the formation of seeds. Therefore, each apple tree has the ability to produce both male and female reproductive structures, enabling it to self-pollinate and produce fruit.
It’s important to note that while apple trees are self-fertile, they can also benefit from cross-pollination. Cross-pollination occurs when pollen from one apple tree is transferred to the pistil of a different apple tree, leading to increased genetic diversity and potentially more abundant fruit production. In these cases, the pollen can be carried by wind, bees, or other pollinators.
In summary, apple trees possess both male and female structures within the same flower, allowing for self-pollination. However, cross-pollination can also occur, leading to increased fruit production.