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Stigma

/STIG-muh/
🌸 Flower Parts●● Intermediate

The receptive surface at the top of the pistil where pollen grains land and germinate. Often sticky or feathery to effectively capture pollen. Connected to the ovary via the style.

Etymology

From Greek stigma, meaning "mark, point, puncture."

Example

Wind-pollinated grasses have feathery stigmas that extend beyond the flower to catch airborne pollen.

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