Carpel Collection

Easter cactus stigma, SEM
Easter cactus stigma. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the stigma (pink) and style (green) of an Easter cactus flower (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri)

Buttercup flower, SEM
Buttercup flower (Ranunculus sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The pistil (centre) is surrounded by the stamens (yellow)

False-colour SEM of chickweed flower
False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the reproductive structures of a flower of the chickweed, Stellaria media. The bulbous carpel, with the short-stalked female stigmas emerging from it

Pollination, SEM
Pollination. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of part of a flowers pistil with pollen grains attached. The pistil is the female reproductive part of a flower

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp. )
Amaryllis flowers (Hippeastrum sp.). Photographed in December

Stigmas in female flowers of single Wax begonia (Begonia semperflorens group) mimic pollen laden stamens produced by male flowers but offer no reward to pollinators

Common rue (Ruta graveolens) flower. Cultivated in herb garden, Surrey, England, UK. Native to Balkan Peninsula

St Helena ebony / Dwarf ebony (Trochetiopsis ebenus) with secondary pollen presentation on petal rims. In cultivation, Kew Gardens, London, England, UK. Endemic to St Helena, South Atlantic Ocean

Crown imperial lily (Fritillaria imperialis), six nectaries at base of stamens and stigma. In cultivation, Native to southeast Turkey and western Himalayas

Geraldton wax flower (Chamelaucium uncinatum), nectar fluorescing in UV light. Western Australia. Controlled conditions, focus stacked. Series 1/2

Two-coloured pineapple lily (Eucomis bicolor) in visible light. Cultivated in garden, Surrey, England, UK. Native to South Africa. Focus stacked. Sequence 1/2

Saffron crocuses (Crocus sativus), cultivated for saffron, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, November

Welsh poppy (Meconopsis cambrica), flower details, Bristol, England, UK, April

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) foraging on Peony (Paeonia officinalis) pollen. Surrey, England, UK. May

Seep monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus), bifid stigma above stamens. Nectar spot guides and central groove leading pollinators to nectar. Focus stacked

Carpenter bee (Xylocopa sp) nectaring on Clary sage (Salvia sclarea). Pollen deposited on bees back by hanging anthers. Turkey. June

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), dissection of flowers. Male phase above, downward projecting stamens release pollen onto backs of bumblebees and honey bees

Sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Charles Thomas ) flower. Cultivated in glasshouse, Surrey, England, UK

New Zealand tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) with blue pollen and yellow tipped stigma. Focus stacked

Arabian star flower (Ornithogalum arabicum) in visible light. Nectar visible in lower flower. Native to Northern Africa and Southern Europe. Series 2/2

Goat willow (Salix caprea) female catkin in UV light, fine hairs and nectar fluroescing. Surrey, England, UK. Focus stacked

Bumblebee scarab (Amphicoma vulpes) pair mating in Tulip (Tulipa armena) flower. Pollen picked up on beetles and transferred to other flowers. Near Karabel Pass, Turkey. May

Musquia (Musschia aurea) flower. Cultivated in glasshouse, UK. Pollinated by Lizard (Lacerta dugesii) and Madeira bumblebee (Bombus maderensis) in Madeira

Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) with ring of nectaries below stamens. Focus stacked

Regal lily (Lilium regale) with Crab spider (Thomisidae sp) waiting to predate insects. Near Maoxian, Min Valley, Sichuan Province, China

Chinese meadow-rue (Thalictrum delavayi) flowers. Male phase below with stigmas hanging below immature stigmas, female phase above after stamens have fallen

Mauritian bloody bellflower (Nesocodon mauritianus), female phase with red nectar at base of style. Cultivated at Kew Gardens, London, England, UK. Native to Mauritius

Trailing fuschsia (Fuchsia procumbens) cultivated in alpine house, Surrey, England, UK. Native to New Zealand

Cats whiskers / Black bat flower (Tacca chantrieri). Pollinated by flies. Cultivated in glasshouse, Surrey, England, UK. Native to Southeast Asia

Pasture goatsbeard (Geropogon hybridus) flower, close-up. Cyprus. April

Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum), close up of pink flowers. Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. April. Composite image

Crocus flower (Crocus sp) stigma - close up

Broadleaf woodsorrel (Oxalis latifolia) in flower, close up. Milpa Alta forest, outskirts of Mexico City, Mexico. August

Cactus bees (Diadasia Rinconis) feeding on nectar and collecting pollen from Hedgehog cactus (Echinocereus) flower, Sonoran desert, Arizona, USA

Close-up bouquet of three pink peonies in a glass vase in Surrey, B. C. Canada
Close-up bouquet of three pink peonies (Paeonia) in a glass vase; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Close-up bouquet of pink and white peonies in a glass vase in Surrey, B. C. Canada
Close-up bouquet of pink and white peonies (Paeonia) in a glass vase; Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) flower detail with dewdrops, Bavaria, Germany, Europe. September

Tulip (Tuplia species) close up of stigma, Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland

Tulip (Tuplia species) close up of anthers, Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland

Saffron crocuses (Crocus sativus), cultivated for saffron, Lleida, Catalonia, Spain, November

Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) stamens and stigma

Bumblebee (Bombus sp) looking for pollen amongst fallen Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) stamens. Surrey, England, UK. July

Marmalade hoverflies (Episyrphus balteatus), two feeding on pollen of Dwarf formosa lily (Lilium formosanum var. pricei). Surrey, England, UK. July

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sp) flower with stigmas and pollen covered stamens. Focus stacked

Water tulip (Cypella aquatilis) from above, in garden pond. Native to Brazil

Daffodil (Narcissus sp) opening, view from above. Focus stacked

Rhododendron (Rhododendron sp) flower, anthers and red stigma visible. Garden in Surrey, England, UK

Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana) from above, flowers fading with age. Native to South America

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"Carpel: Unveiling the Intricate Beauty of Floral Reproduction" Delve into the mesmerizing world of carpels, where nature's secrets unfold under the lens. From the delicate Easter cactus stigma to the vibrant Buttercup flower, each image captured by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) reveals intricate details that go unnoticed by our naked eye. Behold the False-colour SEM of a chickweed flower, showcasing its captivating structure in vivid hues. Witness pollination in action as tiny pollen grains find their way onto an Amaryllis (Hippeastrum sp. ) pistil, ensuring new life is brought forth. Explore further and uncover the hidden wonders within a Thale cress flower micrograph or marvel at Ladys mantle and Euphorbia flower reproductive parts through SEM imagery. Admire the Wild strawberry flower pistil up close, revealing its fascinating complexity. The Primrose stigma captures attention with its unique form under SEM examination while Common rue (Ruta graveolens) flowers cultivated in an herb garden in Surrey, England showcase nature's diversity. Lastly, be enchanted by St Helena ebony / Dwarf ebony (Trochetiopsis ebenus), which exhibits secondary pollen presentation – a remarkable adaptation for successful reproduction, and are not merely reproductive organs; they are masterpieces crafted by evolution over millions of years. These images offer us glimpses into their extraordinary beauty and remind us of nature's ingenuity.