Peeking Inside of Flowers

Spring is booming in Oregon.  The long, wet winter has given way to a stunning green landscape exploding with blossoms.

Have you ever taken time to look inside of a flower?  I mean really looked, even with a magnifying glass.  In my first botany lab as a university student, I was stunned by what I saw.  As I looked through my scope the variety of designs astonished me. Flowers, being the reproductive organs of plants are designed to attract pollinators.  Intricate designs provide landing sites for bees, butterflies and other bugs among stamens, pistils, and anthers.  Lofty fragrances guide their way.

Humans are attracted too by flowers’ sexy ways.  This week I took time out of a beautiful spring day to peek inside what is blooming about my yard.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.