Pollen tube

Flowering plants, called angiosperms, are the favorite ornamental choices for most people because of the colour, fragrance and visitors (birds, bees and butterflies) they bring to your garden.

Plants which bear flowers have roots, which absorb water and minerals, a stem, with or without branches, which gives support and carries vital substances to other parts, leaves, which have an essential role in photosynthesis and the flower/flowers which support reproduction abilities, with or without fruit.

Like any other plants they can be unisexual or bisexual and they suffer double fertilization, but the process is similar: bees, birds or butterflies spread the pollen which, once on the stigma, germinates and creates a pollen tube through which penetrates the ovule (inside the ovary).

One sperm fusses and develops into the embryo and another into endosperm, which will become the nutritive tissue surrounding the embryo. As it grows in size, a protective seed coat is formed. When it matures (ripens) it is known as fruit and once it dries it bursts and releases seeds.

These seeds begin to germinate if they have all they need (warmth, water and oxygen), the roots being the first to develop, followed by the stem. As the stem grows, leaves begin to follow and finally, when the plant is mature enough, flowers appear.

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