Willow tree pollen. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of willow tree pollen grains. The pollen grains, which are elongated and have a groove

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Willow tree pollen. Coloured Scanning Electron Micrograph (SEM) of willow tree pollen grains. The pollen grains, which are elongated and have a grooved, pitted surface, show the distinctive protein coat of the willow genus (Salix). Pollen is produced by the male sex organs in flowers and dispersed to the female sex organ where the egg is fertilized. The protein coat is both highly characteristic and resistant to decay. Thanks to these properties, studies of ancient pollen like willow from deep soil samples has helped to reveal the history of European vegetation since the last ice age. Magnification x720 at 6x7 cm size.

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Size: 3773px × 4881px
Photo credit: © PHOTO INSOLITE REALITE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: botany, nature, plant, plants, pollen, reproduction, reproductive, salix, type, willow