Sycamore pollen (Acer pseudoplatanus) Science Image

Ref: 00579



Pollen grain. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains of the Sycamore tree, Acer pseudoplatanus. They are slightly triangularly shaped with coat ornamentation. When a Sycamore pollen grain lands on the stigma of a Sycamore flower, it germinates. A pollen tube will grow out of the pollen grain into the stigma, and down this tube the male "nuclei" will travel towards the ovaries. When an ovule in the ovary is then fertilized, a seed is formed. Magnification: x1,100 at 5x7cm size.