Pollination is the act of moving pollen from the anthers of a flower to the stigma, allowing the flower to develop
seeds for reproduction. The stigma is the receptive surface of the pistil. Pollen tubes grow down through the pistil to the plant's ovules. The sperm migrate through these tubes to fertilize the ovules. Fertilization is necessary for production of viable seeds and the
fruits which surround those seeds.
Some flowers can self-pollinate when pollen from their own anthers falls on the stigma. However, many plants require help from elsewhere to move the pollen. Wind moves the pollen for some plants such as grasses like corn. Animal pollinators move pollen for many other flowering plants.
Plants must be pollinated so they can make seeds. Without pollen from a different plant of the same kind, the plant cannot reproduce (make seeds).