Microscopic views of flowering plant reproduction
Male:  Anthers in cross-section (lily)

Young anther - Pollen sacs (A), with pollen grains developing inside.
Mature anther, opening (B) to release pollen grains.  (C is the filament.)

Female:  Ovary sections, showing ovule development

Lily, young ovary (high power), showing embryo sac (A, female gametophyte), within ovule (B), enclosed by pericarp (C).
Capsella, (low power), mature ovary (A), containing ovules (B) with sporphyte embryos inside.

Capsella ovules, showing stages of development of sporophyte embryo after fertilization:
 
1.  Tiny embryo (A) and endosperm (B)

 
2.  Embryo (A) is larger

3.  Embryo (A) has developed two cotyledons

4.  Older embryo (A) and endosperm (E) inside ovule.

Parts of embryo:
B - radicle (embryonic root)
C - hypocotyl (embryonic stem, below cotyledons)
D - Cotyledons


All photos by Robert Bowker
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