Pine Young Staminate Cone Under the Microscope
Pine Young Staminate Cone (Longitudinal Section), Pinus
This is a lengthwise section of a young male pine cone stained with safranin. Male pine cones make pollen, and this slide shows the pollen sacs where it develops.
This is a longitudinal section of a young male (staminate) pine cone (Pinus), cut down its length and stained pink with safranin. A thick central axis runs up the middle, with small scales called microsporophylls attached in a spiral. Each scale carries long pollen sacs packed with developing pollen grains. Pine pollen later grows two air-filled wings that help it drift on the wind to female cones. This slide shows how conifers make pollen without flowers.
What to look for
- Cone axis: The central stalk running up the middle of the cone.
- Microsporophylls: Small scales arranged in a spiral around the axis.
- Pollen sacs (microsporangia): Rounded chambers on the underside of each scale.
- Developing pollen: Many small cells packed inside the pollen sacs, stained pink to red.
Questions and answers
What does a male pine cone look like under a microscope?
A longitudinal section of a male pine cone shows a central axis covered with small scales in a spiral. Each scale has pollen sacs on its underside, packed with developing pollen grains.
Where does pine pollen come from?
Pine pollen is made in the pollen sacs of small male cones. When the pollen is mature, the sacs split open and release clouds of pollen into the wind.
Compare it
- Category
- Botany & Plants
- Scan magnification
- 20x
- Stain
- Safranin
Viewing this slide in class
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