Question

What is staminode?

Answer 1

Hint: A staminode is a rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen which means it does not produce pollen or we can say it resembles a stamen without its anther.

Complete answer:
In this question we have asked about the staminode. As we already mentioned that staminode is a rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen which means it does not produce pollen. They are modified steman.

The most common modification is that the filament is expanded to form a petal like blade which we called a staminode. The three possible functions of staminodes are: They are attractive, so they help in pollination, they have some nutritional values and structural function.

Staminodes are of two types: True staminode and pseudo staminode.
> True staminodes are modifications of steman or they are derived from staman, while pseudo Steman are only morphologically similar to the Stefan.

> Staminode is found in Caesalpinioideae and some other families. Sometimes, the staminodes are modified to produce nectar, as in the Witch Hazel. An example of staminode formation is, wild roses have only five petals and many stamens but, when we cultivate a rose plant, it has been selected for the many apparent petals (but actually staminodes) and few functional stamens.

Note: A lily flower has 6 Steman but later they become short and sterile called staminide. This occurs due to evolution. So, formation of staminode is an evolutionary process.