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Old 08-06-2003, 07:56 PM
MMMavocado
 
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Default reproductive biology of orchids question

Yes, as far as I know, each seed is genetically unique, from one ovule and one
pollen grain. But the big difference in Orchidaceae (Asclepiadaceae also does
it) is that they put their pollen into a lump called a pollenium, which is
carried by the bee/wasp/other pollinator as a single unit, so one pollination
event involves many thousands of pollen grains.