Orchid+and+ochna+serrulata+and+bottlebrush

This is a photograph of a South African plant, //ochna serrulata//. It is a weed in Australia.

Floral morphology. This plant begins with bright yellow flowers, which drop off to reveal red, petal-like sepals and five to six green fruits.

Pollination mechanism. As is suggested by the plant colour (yellow), pollination is achieved by insect vectors. After pollination, //ochna// //serrulata// seeds are spread by birds which are attracted to the red colour of the sepals.

Variability of floral morphology.

Pollen morphology.

Nectar characterisation. We were not able to obtain nectar from these as flower have already been shed.

The plant photographed above is an orchid.

Floral morphology. Five outer long, thing petals as the outer whorl. The flower is composed of two inner structures.

Pollination and fertilisation. Orchids are pollinated by insects that are attracted to their bright, yellow colours. However, as they have both the male and female reproductive organs in one plant, they are also able to self-pollinate.

Variability of floral morphology. All flowers look almost identical. Pollen morphology. Pollen is found under the anther cap. Once exine is split, many pollen grains are found clumped together in one structure within.
 * Floral structure measured || Orchid 1 || Orchid 2 || Orchid 3 || Average ||
 * 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 ||

Nectar characterisation.

Bottlebrush