Pelargonium alchemilloides flower

Close scrutiny and image enlargement disclose more secrets of natural phenomena; seldom all, for further augmentation is always possible, revealing more frontiers. Better questions yield more insights from correct answers, for learning never to end. There is a nanoworld of molecules and atoms and subatomic particle worlds to keep people constructively and destructively busy.

Observers of flowers may not need to delve into all the depths of the real world. Science ventures below and above the scale of the humanly experienced reality for all kinds of reasons, in all kinds of quests. It expands the understanding, thereby the borders of reality, giving courage and footholds for further searching.

Curiosity is a gift, a driver and a risk; the world is ours to tackle. It may cause the death of us, but there is no chance of ever stopping willingly as a species. The ebbs and flows of investigation and understanding match phases of being absorbed in contemplation versus times of celebration and capitalising on achievement. Big and small steps of breakthrough form the beacons on the road of human achievement. The individual chooses level and nature of participation.

In this Pelargonium alchemilloides flower the short white strings bending down and seldom noticed are filaments lacking anthers, staminodes. Above them the three pinkish stubs in the flower centre are anthers at the tips of their filaments; missing on the bare white staminodes (sterile stamens) below. Pelargonium flowers are endowed with ten filaments of which two to seven bear anthers, enough for propagation purposes.

The nectar of a Pelargonium flower is another detail often passing people by. It is produced by a gland in the calyx and stored in a hollow spur at the back of the upper sepal, on top of the pedicel or flower stalk (Manning, 2009; Stoneman,1928; Wikipedia).