Fertilization #7

In flowering plants like Brassica oleracea, plants can self-pollinate or cross-pollinate, although cross-pollinating often produces better results. Plants have both male and female reproductive parts. Fertilization starts when pollen grains are spread from the anthers either by wind, or a bee or pollinator picking it up. Then, the pollen grains land on the stigma of the same type of plant and each grain of pollen sends out a tiny tube. The tube grows through the style and into the ovary and attaches to one of the ovules. The ovules then become fertilized seeds.

This is a close up view of the petals of the flower. They are often brightly colored to attract pollinators to them so that the plant can reproduce.

This is a picture of the anthers of the flower. This is the top part of the male reproductive organ, called the stamen. The anthers are where pollen is stored.

This is a close up of the female reproductive organ of the plant, called the carpel. The tip of the carpel is sticky to catch pollen. It is called the stigma. The stigma is connected to the ovary with a tube called a style.

This is a picture of the ovary with ovules coming out of it. The ovules are what becomes a seed after fertilization takes place.