High-speed pollen release in the white mulberry tree, Morus alba L.

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Sexual Plant Reproduction. 2006 Mar;19(1):19-24. doi: 10.1007/s00497-005-0018-9

High-speed pollen release in the white mulberry tree, Morus alba L. Card Lab

Taylor PE, Card GM, House J, Dickinson MH, Flagan RC

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

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Abstract

Anemophilous plants described as catapulting pollen explosively into the air have rarely attracted detailed examination. We investigated floral anthesis in a male mulberry tree with high-speed video and a force probe. The stamen was inflexed within the floral bud. Exposure to dry air initially resulted in a gradual movement of the stamen. This caused fine threads to tear at the stomium, ensuring dehiscence of the anther, and subsequently enabled the anther to slip off a restraining pistillode. The sudden release of stored elastic energy in the spring-like filament drove the stamen to straighten in less than 25 μs, and reflex the petals to velocities in excess of half the speed of sound. This is the fastest motion yet observed in biology, and approaches the theoretical physical limits for movements in plants.

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High-speed pollen release in the white mulberry tree, Morus alba L.

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

Abstract