BOTANICAL CHARACTERS 



97 



yellowish pollen (Fig. 42), which is the medium of sexual re- CHAr. 

 production. At the base of the anthers are minute organs, 

 called lodicules, which at the time of flowering become turgid 

 and press open the valve and palea, allowing the stamens to 

 protrude and scatter their pollen. 



A B 



Fig. 43. — Effect of complete or partial lack of pollination. A, Barren ear 

 due to protection from access of pollen. B, Two ovules were fertilized, probably 

 by pollen which caught on the husks before the bag was placed on the ear. 



Both glumes and anthers vary in colour from pale green, 

 through cream, salmon, etc., to deep magenta. Often the 

 glumes are striped longitudinally with magenta or pink. 



74. The Pollen and Its Vitality. — Pollen is the fine cream- 

 coloured or golden dust which may be seen flying in clouds 

 from the tassels when they are shaken on a still morning. It 



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