A regular question.
By seaburngirl
10 comments
Over the year and a bit I have been a member I have noticed a sort of question regularly crops up.
Why does my holly/skimmia not have berries?
As usual the members come up trumps explaining that these plants are either all male or all female.
The correct botanical term is dioecious.
These photos are of my Skimmia.
This is the female flower. The stigma is a ‘four-leafed clover’ shape and a thin section, the style, connects it to the flask shaped ovary.
There are 4 white filaments per flower, without the anthers. In other words unformed male parts. So no pollen. Plant eunuchs in other words.
This is the male flower. The 4 anthers per flower are bright yellow, due to the pollen. The centre of the flower lacks the female stigma and style. Both have 4 petals per flower too.
Both flower forms produce a beautiful scent and nectar to attract pollinating insects. And just, perhaps, a perfume to attract other more amourous insects.
Next time you are out admiring have a closer look. Flower form is many and varied.
23 Apr, 2010
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Comments
glad you found it interesting.
23 Apr, 2010
thanx sea good to know and didnt know it was going to be x rated your blog lol
23 Apr, 2010
It was interesting - I'll have to look very carefully at the flowers, now!
23 Apr, 2010
Yes I did wonder if I should sensor it San. More time to stand and stare then spritz :o)
23 Apr, 2010
;o)) lol
23 Apr, 2010
The Skimia flowers are so small. It's worth looking more closely at them and notice their detail.
23 Apr, 2010
Thank You for alll the fascinating info and pics, Sbg. I'll be studying folks' close-up pics even more closely, now. :-)
24 Apr, 2010
A useful blog.
Well done :o)
2 May, 2010
thanks tt. glad you like it.
2 May, 2010
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Many thanks for a very informative blog. : o )
23 Apr, 2010