Pollen comes from the male reproductive parts of seed plants. In flowering plants (angiosperms), pollen is produced by the anthers of the stamens in flowers. In non-flowering seed plants like gymnosperms (e.g., pines, firs, cedars), pollen is formed in the microsporophylls of the male cones (microstrobili)

. Specifically, pollen grains develop in structures called microsporangia. In angiosperms, during flower development, specialized cells in the anther called pollen mother cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid microspores, which then develop into pollen grains. Each pollen grain contains vegetative cells and reproductive cells that carry the male genetic material necessary for fertilization

. Pollen is released into the environment to be transferred to female reproductive structures by various means such as wind, insects, or water, enabling plant reproduction

. In summary:

• Angiosperms: pollen produced by anthers of stamens in flowers
• Gymnosperms: pollen produced in male cones (microsporophylls)
• Pollen grains develop from microspores formed by meiosis in pollen mother cells
• Pollen carries male gametes for fertilization of female ovules

This process is fundamental to sexual reproduction in seed plants