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In this Green Ecologist article we are going to teach you a little more about stamens, one of the most important parts of a flower when it comes to ensuring its reproduction. In addition to the definition, we will try to show you what the stamens of a flower are for and why their function is so important. And it is that, without them, we would be talking about a plant world very different from the one we know today.
Therefore, the purpose of this short article is to explain in a simple way everything you need to know about this part of flowering plants and thus know a little better the plant world that surrounds us and that we must take care, pamper and protect each day. So, read on to get to know better. what are the stamens of a flower, their function and types.
What are the stamens of a flower
It is known as stamen flower male organ. This appears as a small elongated strand, a modified leaf, which usually protrudes from the center; it's here where is the stamen of the flower. Similarly, in the stamens is where the pollen sacs are located, which is where pollen is produced.
The set of stamens is called androecium. The androecium is one of the main parts of the male reproductive system of the vast majority of plants on our planet. In fact, both in the case of gymnosperms, those that do not protect their seeds, and angiesperms, which do protect the seeds and that usually have much more showy flowers.
The stamens are formed mainly by two structures:
The filament of the stamens
The filament is the sterile part of the stamen and is located just below the anther. Its function is mainly structural and in the vast majority of cases it tends to have a fine, cylindrical shape; although there are species where they appear in the form of sheets, wider and thicker. In other cases, the stamen may also lack filament.
The anther of the stamens
The anther is the fertile structure of the stamen. This is, as we have commented, attached to the filament. The way in which the anther attaches to the filament varies by species. In general, they are attached either at their base or on the back of the filament. Also, the anther is where the pollen sacs are found where, normally, there are no more than four sacs per anther.
We recommend you read this other post about What are the parts of a flower and their functions.
What is the function of the stamens of a flower
The function of stamens is the reproduction of flowering plants. Without them, the plant reproduction it would be given only using other methods such as suckers, stolons or cuttings. Here you can learn more about the Reproduction of plants.
- The stamens are the organs that produce and contain pollen, or the genetic information of a plant. Therefore, its purpose is to produce, store and help carry it to the ovary of a female flower to guarantee the creation of the seed.
- One of its main functions is to attract the attention of pollinating organisms. For this reason, it is usually quite showy like the petals of the flower. However, this does not always have to be the case, or at least to the human eye, where it is sometimes difficult to identify. You can learn more about What are pollinating insects and their importance here. Furthermore, some stamens also produce what is known as nectar. Nectar is a liquid solution, very rich in sugars, amino acids, mineral ions and other substances, attracting animals to increase the pollination success of the flower.
Types of flower stamens
There are several in nature types of stamens. We wanted to divide them into two large groups to facilitate their identification, but, in addition, we have added other possible variants at the end of the article.
Stamens connate or fused in the same spiral
- Within this classification we find the monadelfo, those whose filaments form a kind of bundle and that are typical of the Myrtaceas family, to which the eucalyptus belong.
- There are also the diadelph, which are those stamens that are joined together forming two bundles. This type is very characteristic of the Fabaceae family or commonly known as legumes.
- Furthermore, in the same classification of the connands, we find the polyadelphs, which are the stamens joined together by the filament and that come to form three or more bundles. It is characteristic of a large number of plants, among them we highlight those of the Citrus genus, such as the orange and the lemon tree.
- And finally, there are the stamens sinantéreos, those whose anthers are attached to a single body. This type of stamen is found mainly in the Asteraceas family, where plants such as chamomile or sunflower are found.
Stamens adnate or fused in more than one spiral
- Here we find the stamens of type epipetal, where the filaments are attached just at the base of the corolla. It is characteristic of many garden flowers such as those belonging to the Primulaceae family.
- Stamens are also found didynamo. Those that emerge from the flower in two pairs and that one is more elongated than the other.
- Finally, within this group, we see the tetradyne which are those with six stamens; two of them shorter than the rest.
Other types of stamens
Finally, we will talk about other types of stamens that can be divided according to their length, the so-called exerts, according to the position of the anthers, among which are the basifixes and dorsifixes, and even according to the dehiscence that marks how the teak that produce flower pollen open.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are the stamens of a flower, their function and types, we recommend that you enter our Biology category.
