Zoom Gallery head image

By Dr. Biology

Pollen Gallery (Pollen up-close)

Pollen comes in many shapes and sizes. These are just a few of the thousands of examples. Click on any of the pollen grains in the gallery below and use the zoom tool to explore the amazing shapes and textures of pollen. These images are all from a scanning electron microscope (S.E.M.). We also have a companion story abut pollen and how it is used to solve crimes that you might like to check out.

Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Acacia berlandieri</em> - Guajillo Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Amblyolepis setigera</em> - Huisache daisy Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Brazoria_pulcherrima</em> - Centerville brazos-mint
Acacia berlandieri
Guajillo
Amblyolepis setigera
Huisache daisy
Brazoria pulcherrima
Centerville brazos-mint
Pollen Grain S.E.M - Cannibis sativa - Marijuana, Hemp Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Cardiospermum corindum</em> - Faux persil< Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Claytonia virginica</em> - Virginia spring beauty
Cannibis sativa
Marijuana, Hemp
Cardiospermum corindum
Faux persil
Claytonia virginica
Virginia springbeauty
Pollen Grain S.E.M - <em> Ilex_opaca</em> - American holly Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Ipomopsis rubra&lt;/em&gt; - Standing-cypress Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Liquidambar styraciflua&lt;/em&gt; - Sweetgum
Ilex opaca
American holly
Ipomopsis rubra
Standing-cypress
Liquidambar styraciflua
Sweetgum
Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Minuartia drummondii&lt;/em&gt; - Drummond's stitchwort Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Opuntia stricata&lt;/em&gt; - Erect pricklypear cactus Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Pinus echinata&lt;/em&gt; - Shortleaf pine
Minuartia drummondii
Drummond's stitchwort
Opuntia stricata*
Erect pricklypear
Pinus echinata
Shortleaf pine
Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Polygonella americana&lt;/em&gt; - Southern jointweed Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Salix exigua&lt;/em&gt; - Narrowleaf willow Pollen Grain S.E.M - &lt;em&gt; Sedum nuttallianum&lt;/em&gt; - Yellow stonecrop
Polygonella americana
Southern jointweed
Salix exigua
Narrowleaf willow
Sedum nuttallianum
Yellow stonecrop

In case you are wondering why there are white lines on each image, they are used to show the size of each pollen grain. Microscopists call these lines scale bars, because they let a person know the size of an object. All the white lines at the bottom of the images are equal to 10 micrometers except Opuntia* which is 25 micrometers.

A swallowtail caterpillar
Is there anything in nature that get smaller as it thrives?

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom