20th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Anthers and stigmas of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

These are the anthers and stigmas of the flower of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. The yellow grains of pollen can be seen on the anthers where they are produced, but a grain of pollen can even be seen stuck to one of the fuzzy-looking red stigmas of the flower, as this is pollination. Unfortunately, pollination is often not visible and the beauty of it is overlooked as the show is stolen by the flashy sterile parts of a flower like the petals.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 05.2022
Date Uploaded: 11.2022
Photo Location: Marion, North Carolina, United States of America
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T7
Copyright: © Luke Sheaffer