MaineNatureDiary

Stamen Movement: Close up view of subtle stamen movement of arctic hibiscus flowers taken over the course of several hours. After analyzing many hours of flower video, Drew noticed a pattern occurring…that of stamen movement when the sun shone, and then the movement ceasing when the flower was in shade or darkness. Of course, you know from middle school science classes that the stamen are the male parts of the flower and carry pollen, while the pistils (there are 5 pistils in the arctic hibiscus) are the female parts of the flower and accept the pollen for fertilization.

(Notice to Laurie’s colleagues & students: YouTube is blocked at school, so you’ll have to view this video elsewhere. Click here to try an alternate source.)