X-ray of a Sexy Tulip

• Photographer
  David Perry Lawrence, United States

Buried deep inside a tulip, and shielded by its petals, are the sex organs of the flower:
its anthers, laden with yellow pollen, and its white stigma, with brush-like cilia ready
to capture pollen off any insect that flies too close. The stigma sits atop the central
style, which will carry the pollen down to the ovaries and fertilize the flower. It's a
beautiful and colorful arrangement made visible, like taking an X-ray, just by carefully
removing one petal from the flower.

Awards 2nd Place overall, 1998 Fuji 'American Skylines' contest 5 times published National Geographic 'My Shot'