• Flowers, the reproductive organs of angiosperms, show a high degree of diversity in morphological structure and flowering habit to ensure pollination and fertilization of the plants. Effect of flower movement on pollination and fertilization was investigated in Ipomoea purpurea (Convolvulaceae) in this study. • Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the germination of pollen grains at different temperatures. • From 04:00 to 06:00 h, the stigma was taller than the filaments, so that self-pollination could not occur, and cross-pollination was carried out by insects. Pollen grains germinated rapidly after falling on the stigma; the pollen tube reached the ovule to complete fertilization after 2-3 h. From 07:00 to 09:00 h, filaments of two stamens grew rapidly and reached the same height as the stigma, thus allowing self-crossing. But at this time, the ambient temperature was already high and was not conducive to the germination of pollen grains. The corolla closed, forming an inverted bell shape, where the inner microenvironment ensured completion of pollen germination and fertilization. • Preferential cross-pollination and delayed self-crossing of I. purpurea provided a doubly guaranteed mechanism for pollination and fertilization, facilitating its adaptation to a high temperature climate.

Summary The production patterns and nutritious qualities of mung bean sprouts are in line with the consumption needs of modern people. This study was conducted to explore the effects of low doses of UV‐B irradiation on the 3‐day growth period of mung bean sprouts. The results showed that, when mung bean sprouts were irradiated with UV‐B (0.738 kJ m−2) for 1 h per day, their total phenolic content increased by 22.80%, and the activity of polyphenol oxidase decreased by 45.45%. Hypocotyl epidermis stomata were closed, reducing water loss and the opportunity for microbes to invade plants, leading to the maintenance of freshness of the sprouts. In conclusion, UV‐B irradiation for 1 h per day during the growth of mung bean sprouts can effectively improve their preservation. This method is a low‐cost, environmental friendly and pollution‐free physical preservation technique, and it has good application prospects.