Material Detail

This is a longitudinal section of a young male (staminate) pine cone (Pinus), cut down its length and stained pink with safranin. A thick central axis runs up the middle, with small scales called microsporophylls attached in a spiral. Each scale carries long pollen sacs packed with developing pollen grains. Pine pollen later grows two air-filled wings that help it drift on the wind to female cones. This slide shows how conifers make pollen...

Disciplines:

• Science and Technology  / Biology  / Biology Education