Final answer:
Abundant and powdery pollen from small, indistinct flowers is characteristic of wind pollination, not requiring insects or birds for pollen transport.
Correct option is c) Wind
Step-by-step explanation:
Abundant and powdery pollen produced by small, indistinct flowers is an indicator of wind pollination. These characteristics are typical of plants that do not depend on animals, like insects or birds, to transport their pollen. Instead, these plants produce a large quantity of pollen that is light enough to be carried by the wind. Grasses, as well as large trees like oaks and maples, often use wind to spread their pollen. In wind-pollinated plants, the lightweight and easily airborne pollen is released into the air, and the wind carries it to other flowers for pollination.
This method is common in plants with small, inconspicuous flowers that lack attractive features to entice pollinators. Wind pollination is an efficient strategy for plants in open habitats where the wind can disperse pollen over long distances. Therefore, option (c) accurately reflects the likely mode of pollen transport for plants with these characteristics.