The cycle of a flower and fruit’s life is integral to the beauty we watch as flowers form form buds, develop into flowers, yield fruit, and finally reach the end of their life cycle as drying color and dropping petals.
                                               An Iris in full bloom, with the inner working plainly visible

The life cycle of the flower also involves outside help. Our famous and popular pollinators play a critical role in the process.

The reproductive cycle of flowers involves several key components and stages, including the role of the stamen, pistil, and pollinators.

1. Stamen**: The stamen is the male reproductive part of the flower, consisting of the anther and filament. The anther produces pollen, which contains the male gametes (sperm cells).

2. Pistil**: The pistil is the female reproductive part of the flower, consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma is the sticky surface at the top that captures pollen. The style is a tube that connects the stigma to the ovary, which contains the ovules (female gametes). Note the scrabble-good spelling of “pistil.”

3. Pollination**: Pollination occurs when pollen from the anther is transferred to the stigma of the same or another flower. This can happen through various pollinators such as bees, butterflies, birds, and wind.

4. Fertilization**: Once pollen reaches the stigma, it germinates and grows a pollen tube down the style to the ovary. Sperm cells travel through the pollen tube to fertilize the ovules, forming a zygote.

5. Seed and Fruit Development**: After fertilization, the ovules develop into seeds, and the surrounding ovary often develops into fruit, which protects the seeds and aids in their dispersal.

                                                   Flowers on an Apple Tree, Where the Fruit Will Form and then Feed!

6. Dispersal and Germination**: Seeds are dispersed through various methods such as wind, water, and animals. Once they find a suitable environment, they germinate and grow into new plants, continuing the cycle.The role of pollinators** is crucial as they facilitate the transfer of pollen from one flower to another, increasing genetic diversity and ensuring successful fertilization.

At the End of the Life Of The Flower, the Petals Drop, and the stamen and pistils are dramatically displayed

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

Shared Knowledge Is Power!

Leonard Frieling Pen Of Justice Legal Blogger

• Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
• Former Judge
• Photographer of the Year, AboutBoulder 2023
• First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
• Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
• Twice chair Executive Counsel, Colorado Bar Association Criminal Law Section
• NORML Distinguished Counsel Circle
• Life Member, NORML Legal Committee
• Life Member, Colorado Criminal Defense Bar
• Board Member Emeritus, Colorado NORML
• Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
• Media work, including episodes of Fox’s Power of Attorney, well in excess of many hundreds media interviews, appearances, articles, and podcasts, including co-hosting Time For Hemp for two years.
• Board member, Author, and Editor for Criminal Law Articles for the Colorado Lawyer, primary publication of the Colorado Bar Assoc. 7 Years, in addition to having 2 Colorado Lawyer cover photos, and numerous articles for the Colorado Lawyer monthly publication.
• LEAP Speaker, multi-published author, University lectures Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, Denver University Law School, Univ. of New Mexico, Las Vegas NM, and many other schools at all levels.
• http://www.Lfrieling.com