Ochna+serrulata+and+orchid

Group members: Genevieve, (Alfred, Loukas, Glen)

We chose to study these two flowers as they were different to the general model of a flower. They have complementary floral aspects, hence why we chose to study both. Plant species: //Ochna serrulata//
 * [[image:image_1350361121904578.jpg width="800" height="600"]] ||
 * Mickey Mouse plant, //ochna serrulata. Photograph//: Genevieve ||

Plant family: Ochnaceae Common Name: Mickey Mouse bush, Bird's Eye bush Origin: South Africa Status: invasive to Australia and New Zealand Distribution: mid-East coast of Australia, with potential to spread North and South Habit: Shrub to 2.5m high Inflorescence: Leafy, bracted Flowers: bright yellow, then drop off to reveal red petal-like sepals with black veins and five to six green spherical fruits in a circular configuration around the anther. Fruit: green soft pods, spherical Seed: one per pod, coated in white powdery substance

__Pollen information__ Pollination achieved by insect vectors. After pollination, seeds are distributed instead by birds which are attracted to the red sepals.


 * [[image:flowerpowerlab/Untitled copy.jpg]] ||
 * Orchid O//rchis sp.// Photograph: Genevieve. Labels: Loukas ||

Plant species: O//rchis sp.//

Plant family: orchidaceae Common Name: orchid Distribution: Orchids can be found in almost any climate except for the extreme cold. They are indigenous to tropical areas, however can be found prospering in many suburban homes in temperate zones, such as where this particular flower was sourced. Distinguishing features: bilateral symmetry, resupinate flowers may be found on plant, highly modified petal (to form labellum), fused stamens and carpels, tiny seeds.

Floral morphology: Five outer long, thin petals as the outer whorl. The flower in then composed of two inner structures- the stame and the carpel.


 * Floral structure measured (mm) || Orchid 1 || Orchid 2 || Orchid 3 || Orchid 4 ||
 * Column || 21 || 25.5 || 24.1 || 23.5 ||
 * Sepal || 52.2 || 55.5 || 53.4 || 53.7 ||
 * Anther Cap || 4 || 4 || 3 || 3.7 ||
 * Labellum || 41.6 || 40 || 39 || 40.2 ||
 * Petal (left bottom) || 49 || 46.2 || 43.8 || 46.3 ||

Pollen morphology: Pollen is found under the anther cap. Once exine is split, many pollen grains are found clumped together in one mass, help together by a hard resin that dissolved in water.