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Santa Cruz Mtns. Manzanita
Arctostaphylos regismontana
1998
The heather family has poricidal anthers. On each anther, two theca, Greek for case or cup, will split at the pale white area at the base of the horns. The pollen emerges from the chambers through these two pores. The horns on the anthers brace against the petals as the theca dry and this keeps the pores facing downward. Thus, when the pollen is released, it can fall out of the flower onto the bee pollinator. Since manzanitas bloom in the rainy season, the hanging flowers protect the pollen from getting wet.
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