A stigma is part of a flower's reproductive system, designed to catch pollen.
Also called / Category:
Stigmas / Plant, Botany & Anatomy
Key takeaways:
- The stigma is essential in the pollination process of plants.
- It is often sticky to effectively capture pollen grains.
- Found at the tip of the pistil in flowers, including cannabis.
- Plays a crucial role in the reproduction and breeding of plants.
What it is / How it shows up:
The term 'stigma' can often be found in the context of plant anatomy, especially in discussions about cannabis cultivation and breeding. The stigma is a component of the pistil, the female part of a flower, responsible for capturing pollen. In cannabis, the stigmas are visible as hair-like structures that emerge from the flower's calyx. These are crucial for the plant's reproduction, enabling pollen to fertilize the ovules, leading to seed production. The stigmas change colour as the plant matures, which can be an indicator for growers about the right time to harvest.
How it’s measured or identified:
- Visual inspection of the pistil's tip.
- Observation of stigma colour changes during flowering.
- Using magnification to view pollen adherence.
Use in context:
- "The stigmas on this cannabis plant have turned brown, indicating it's ready for harvest."
- "A healthy stigma is crucial for successful pollination."
- "Growers often examine the stigma to determine the flowering stage."
Safety & compliance in Canada:
- Ensure cultivation complies with offset-4 transition-colors hover:underline" title="Learn more about Health Canada">Health Canada regulations.
- Reproductive parts like stigmas are part of botanical studies, not direct consumption.
Related terms / See also:
FAQs:
What is the function of a stigma in a flower? The stigma's primary function is to catch pollen grains, which are necessary for the fertilization process in plants.
Why do stigmas change colour? Stigmas change colour as they mature, which is often an indicator for growers about the plant's stage in its lifecycle.
Sources:
- Health Canada
- PubChem