ORCHIDACEAE - Orchid Family
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Face view of a large orchid flower of Cymbidium sp. The labellum is a modified petal. The column contains the fusion of the style, stigma and stamens.
The flower is resupinate meaning the inferior ovary has twisted 180 degrees during development. This is characteristic of most orchids.
A column that has been removed. The pollinarium is hidden directly beneath the operculum.
The 2 yellow lobes are the pollinium and the gooey blob is the viscidium. Connecting the pollinium to the viscidium (not shown) is an elastic caudicle.
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Cross section through the ovary reveals 3 carpels in parietal placentation.
