Flowers of Paris quadrifolia. The picture shows two flowers of the woodland plant herb paris. Each has four green petal-like perianth segments and fou
Flowers of Paris quadrifolia. The picture shows two flowers of the woodland plant herb paris. Each has four green petal-like perianth segments and four sepaloid segments (narrow, recurved) together with eight stamens, each with a yellow anther, the site of the pollen. In the centre of each flower is a purple-hued ovary surmounted by four stigmas. The flowers remain open for many days; if not pollinated by a passing insect, the stamens fold inwards to the centre of the flower so that the pollen they bear contacts the surface of the stigmas. This process of self-pollination is known as autogamy. It has potential genetic disadvantages, as there can be no increase in genetic diversity. However, the plant is well able to colonise a site by vegetative means due to its branching rhizomes. In a suitable shaded site in a garden, it may even become mildly invasive
Size: 3468px × 5212px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -pollination, anther, autogamy, diversity, genetic, herb, ovary, paris, perianth, plant, pollen, quadrifolia, reproduction, rhizome, segments, stigma, vegetative, woodland
