Staubblätter

Staubblätter, also known as stamens, are the male reproductive organs of flowering plants. Each stamen typically consists of two main parts: the filament and the anther. The filament is a stalk-like structure that supports the anther. The anther, usually located at the tip of the filament, is where pollen is produced and stored. Pollen grains contain the male gametes necessary for fertilization.

The number, size, and arrangement of stamens can vary greatly among different plant species, serving as important characteristics for plant identification and classification. In some plants, the filaments are long and delicate, allowing the anthers to sway freely to facilitate wind pollination. In others, the stamens may be shorter, more robust, and enclosed within the petals, often relying on insects or other animals for pollen transfer.

The process of pollen release from the anther is called dehiscence. Once mature, the anther splits open, exposing the pollen. This pollen is then transported to the female reproductive part of the flower, the pistil or carpel, through various agents like wind, water, insects, birds, or bats. This transfer of pollen is known as pollination, a crucial step in plant reproduction. Following successful pollination, the pollen grain germinates on the stigma of the pistil, and a pollen tube grows down to the ovary, leading to fertilization of the ovules.