Macrophotograh of a honeybee Apis mellifera pollinating a Shirley poppy flower Papaver rhoeas,a cultivated race of the field poppy (same species name). They produce no nectar,but are prolific sources of pollen for bees,which are attracted by the colours of the petals. At the centre,covered by the bee,is the stigma,the pollen receiving,female structure of the flower,which sits atop a large capsule containing the ovaries. The fringe surrounding the stigma is the male reproductive apparatus,consisting of anthers borne aloft on stamens. Pollen is produced in the anthers & distributed through the agency of insects. Magnification: X1.3 (at 35mm size) |