The next ring of smaller white disc flowers has begun to open. Differnet stages in the maturation of the stamen can be observed. Note that the first anthers have already begun to be shed.

The carpels of the outer flowers have now grown much larger

The central florets are beginning to open

The unopened central florets become a little pigmented close to the tips of the outer petal. The other petals change from being white to green

The inner petals of the central florets are white. A few flat and dehydrated pollen grains are adherent to the phyllary hairs.

As the florets open, the pigmented anthers and carpel become visible. At this stage, the anthers filaments are bent over. A small insect has already entered a flower.

A closeup of a floret in the process of opening reveals the anther filaments at various stages of unbending.

Four central florets are in the process of opening. Most of the outer ring of small flowers (next to the outer marginal flower ring ) are already open

Some central florets are in various stages of opening. One anther has already lost most of its pollen. Rapid loss can sometimes be due to insects such as hoverflies eating the pollen. ( see the insect visitors page.)

Two of 4 anthers have emerged from the central flower. Anthers in more peripheral flowers have opened revealing the pollen. Anthers from the outer marginal flowers have already detached from the stamen filaments and have lost their purple colour.

The characteristic ring of unopened central flowers is now visible. Many of the open anthers have been depleted of pollen.

The anthers open rapidly after the stamen filaments straighten. On the lower surface of the anther, there is a small patch of unpigmented epidermis to which the filament is attached.

The anther of the stamen on the right has been shed at its point of connection to the filament. The top of the filament is brown.

The depth of the pappus and the position of the ovary are shown in this dissected flower

A closer view

A dissected flower showing the positions of the developing ovaries. Notice the central cavity

Almost all of the florets have opened. Pollen is lying on the large outer petal. An aphid is partially hidden between overlapping petals sat the bottom of the picture.

The mature flower after the anthers have been shed

The characteristic pincushion flower morphology is now evident. A few of the stigmas toward the bottom of the images have become adhesive to the pollen.

The rear of the large outer petals is supported by the green sepals.