Favoritos de tippery

Amazing floating male flowers

Growing in a stagnant pond - possibly nutrient enriched. Plant grows in a completely submerged dense mass. Male flowers form underwater then are released while still a bud. This floats to the surface before opening on the water surface. The flowers float so that the three fertile stamens are held a little bit above the water. Each fertile stamen produces pollen at its tip (According to Cook there are 16 pollen grains per anther). Above the fertile stamens is a 'sail' of three infertile stamens joined at the apex (which looks like an egg-beater). These tiny flowers (maximum height of about 5 mm) are blown by the wind and cluster together to form grey fuzzy masses.