• Name of Student: Bindu N, Shwetha Santhosh
• School Name: CMR National PU College ITPL
• Sample: Stigma of flower from tree Bombax Ceiba

We had recently found a rare flower from the Bombax Ceiba tree. It’s usually called Red silk cotton tree and it blooms only once a year in few selected locations. We carefully dissected the flower and mounted it’s Stigma which was in the centre.

On viewing under the foldoscope, we got a very clear view of the sample. On closer inspection we were able to see the microscopic projections of the stigma which helps the pollen grains stick onto its surface. We were also able to notice the stickiness of the surface of the stigma.

With the help of the foldoscope we were able to learn the adaptations of the stigma for its functions. We had previously learnt in our biology class that the surface of Stigma is slightly broad, coarse and has many minute sticky projections which attach to the pollen grains. Due to the adhesive nature of the stigma, the pollen grains remain attached and further germinate on the stigma to give rise to pollen tube and this facilitates fertilization. Stigma plays an irreplaceable role in the flowers’ fertilization.