Zantedeschia aethiopica (Calla Lily)

Reproduction


Zantedeschia aethiopica
is an angiosperm which goes through alternation of generations. Alternation of generations goes between a sexual phase also known as the gametophyte stage, and a nonsexual phase which can be referred to as the sporophyte stage. As plants have evolved over time, the gametophyte stage has been condensed, and the dominant stage of an angiosperm is the sporophyte phase. While this form of reproduction is often associated with plants, there are some animals that also have an alternation of generations. For example, the box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) also undergoes alternation of generations as its means of reproduction.

The flower of an angiosperm is where the reproductive process occurs. The stamen is the male reproductive organ and has what is called an anther located at the tip. The anther is where pollen is produced. The female organ of the flower is inside the pistil. Inside the pistil sits the ovary where seeds are later produced. The male portion resides in the top 7 cm of the flower whereas the female reproductive organ sits in the lower 1.8 cm of the flower. Note that because an angiosperm has both male and female parts it is a monoecious organism. The opposite of monoecious is dioecious where the male and female reproductive organs are on separate plants.


                                                                                          





                                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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