Primrose heterostyly. Image 2 of 2. Macro- photograph of a flower of the primrose Primula pulverulenta showing the \pin-eyed\" sex organ arrangement.

---

Primrose heterostyly. Image 2 of 2. Macro- photograph of a flower of the primrose Primula pulverulenta showing the \pin-eyed\" sex organ arrangement. This flower exhibits heterostyly, which means individual flowers of the same species show different arrangements of the sex organs. In this case, the style (white) leading to the female ovaries is projecting from the vase-like flower's neck, with the male pollen-bearing anthers hidden deep in the flower. This formation is designed to inhibit self-pollination (thus promoting cross- pollination), as it makes it hard for pollen to reach the style. For a specimen with the anthers prominent (\"thrum-eyed\"), see image B780/017."

---

Size: 3836px × 5480px
Photo credit: © DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -pollination, botany, cross-pollination, flower, flowering, heterostyly, nature, part, parts, pin-eyed, plant, plants, prevention, primrose, primula, pulverulenta, reproduction, reproductive, style