Pink+Panthers

= Pink Panthers = Group Members: Madalyn Cooper, Dana Yerpasheva, Rebekah Burns, Holly Mccosker, Holly Cuthbertson

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= Azalea = Azaleas are a group within the Genus Rhododendron. They are commonly used as decorative plants in gardens around the world and there are hundreds of different sub-species ranging in size, colour and form. Azaleas generally bloom in winter in the Southern Hemisphere, with their flowers often lasting several weeks- allowing for a prolonged period of pollination and fertilisation.

Floral Morphology, Visitations and Variability
The floral morphology of the Azalea affects the type and number of pollinators that land on it. By observing the size of the infloresence and measuring the petal size and distance between the male and female organs using vernier callipers, it was concluded that a smaller insects, i.e. Bees, that would visit and pollinate this plant.
 * Flower number || Shape || Colour || Length of style (cm) || Distance between anther and stigma (cm) ||
 * 1 || * 2 whorls of five petals, petals united. average 2.5 cm in length
 * Calyx present
 * 5 andrecium
 * ovary superior containing 2 ovules
 * sigma united in staminal column || Bright pink || 2.98 || Average: 0.7

STD: 0.2 ||
 * 2 || * 2 whorls of five petals, petals united. average 2.5 cm in length
 * Calyx present
 * 5 andrecium
 * ovary superior containing 2 ovules
 * sigma united in staminal column || Bright pink || 2.62 || Average: 0.95

STD: 0.15 ||
 * 3 || * 2 whorls of five petals, petals united. average 2.5 cm in length
 * Calyx present
 * 5 andrecium
 * ovary superior containing 2 ovules
 * sigma united in staminal column || Bright pink || 2.45 || Average: 1.35

STD: 0.29 ||



Pollen Morphology
The pollen grains are a triangular shape and are present in abundance on the anthers. By using a light microscope the pollen grains were viewed and counted.



Nectar Characterisation
This species of Azalea do produce nectar. This raises a question of how the cost-benefit symbitoic relationship between flora and insects/animals operates?
 * Does the colour of the flower attract the pollinator to allow effective pollination and cross fertilisation
 * Or does the flower produce a scent that attracts pollinators.