Stamen Anatomy Quiz

Stamen Structure

• A stamen consists of two parts: the filament, a long and slender stalk, and the anther, a terminal generally bilobed structure.
• The proximal end of the filament is attached to the thalamus or the petal of the flower.

Variation in Stamen Size and Shape

• The number and length of stamens are variable in flowers of different species.
• Collecting stamens from different species and arranging them on a slide would show a large variation in size.
• Observing each stamen under a dissecting microscope and making diagrams would reveal the range in shape and attachment of anthers in different flowers.

Anther Structure

• A typical angiosperm anther is bilobed with each lobe having two theca, making it dithecous.
• Often, a longitudinal groove runs lengthwise, separating the theca.
• The bilobed nature of an anther is distinct in the transverse section of the anther.

Transverse Section of Anther

• The anther is a four-sided (tetragonal) structure consisting of four microsporangia located at the corners, two in each lobe.
• The microsporangia develop further and become pollen sacs, extending longitudinally throughout the length of the anther and packed with pollen grains.

Microsporangium Structure

• In a transverse section, a typical microsporangium appears near circular in outline.

Test your knowledge on the structure and variability of stamens in flowers. Learn about the filament, anther, and their attachment to the thalamus. Explore the variations in stamen size across different flower species.