hydrophily

Type of pollination where the pollen is transported by water. Water-pollinated plants occur in 31 genera in 11 different families. They are found in habitats as diverse as rainforests and seasonal desert pools. Pollen is either dispersed underwater or on the water's surface.

Pollen may be released directly onto the water's surface, as in the sea grass Halodule pinifolia, forming pollen rafts, or as in the freshwater plant Vallisneria, the pollen may be released within floating male flowers. In Caribbean turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum, pollen is released underwater embedded in strands of mucilage. Denser than water, it is carried by the current.