Pollen-presenter

A pollen-presenter is an area on the tip of the pistil in flowers of plants of the family Proteaceae. In this family, the anthers are difficult to access for potential pollination vectors such as bees, birds and nectarivorous mammals.

To ensure pollination, anthers release their pollen onto the pollen-presenter prior to anthesis. After anthesis, the style sticks out prominently, ensuring the distribution of pollen. The systematic depositing of pollen on the tip of the style means the plants must have some strategy to avoid excessive self-pollination.