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 Western blue-eyed grass is a common wildflower on the west coast of the US and an expected sight when walking around in the hills of Half Moon Bay, CA. When I first saw the petals of this flower through the eyes of the Foldscope though I was surprised to find something completely unexpected. With the microscope I was able to see trichome-like structures evenly dispersed throughout the periphery of the flower petals that left me wondering what their purpose might be. I also noticed that a small number of pollen granules sit at the very ends of the pointed tips of the petals.
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Trichomes and pollen of western blue-eyed grass

Josh Guild

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