Easter cactus stigma. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of the stigma (pink) of an Easter cactus flower (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri).

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Easter cactus stigma. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of the stigma (pink) of an Easter cactus flower (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri). This is the top part of the female reproductive structure (carpel) of the flower. Pollen grains containing the male sex cells land on the stigma and may move down the style (not seen) into the ovary (not seen). If the male cells fertilise the female sex cells (ovules) in the ovary, then the carpel may ripen to form a fruit that contains the plant's seeds. Magnification: x340 at 6x7cm size.

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Size: 2811px × 3500px
Photo credit: © SUSUMU NISHINAGA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: botany, cactus, coloured, easter, epiphyllum, female, flower, flowering, gaertneri, nature, part, parts, plant, plants, reproduction, reproductive, rhipsalidopsis, schlumbergera, sem, stigma, structure