Anther – Types, Structure, and Functions

Anther is an important part of a flower that produces the pollen. The anther structure is located at the tip of a filament. Simply put, the anther of a flower is the male reproductive part of the flower. Anther stores the male sex cells or pollens of a plant.

In this article, we are going to discuss the anther of a flower in detail. 

Anther of flower forms a part of the stamen and plays role in the plant reproduction process. It is also known as the pollen-containing unit of a plant. The anther is important because of its position in a flower that helps to perform the pollination simply. It provides a place for the male sex cells of a plant or pollen until they become mature and ready to be dispersed. There are different types of pollen dispersal processes like ballistic movements, dropping the pollens, etc. 

Read More: What is the Difference Between a Microspore and Pollen Grain?

The anther is the fertile part of the flower. Four different layers surround the pollen chambers. Let us discuss this in detail. 

• Epidermis: It is the outermost part of the pollen sac that consists of a single layer. The function of the epidermis is to protect the pollen sacs.
• Inner Epidermis: It is also a single layer that develops the cellulose. The cellulose consists of the pectin and lignin fibrous. 
• Middle Layer: It is a cell-like structure that is present just below the inner epidermis. The cell is protected with three to four layers and nourishes the microspore to produce pollen. 
• Tapetum: It is the fourth layer that is close to the pollen sac. It provides the essential nutrients for the pollen division process.

Here are the major function of the anther as mentioned below.

• The anther is a sac-like structure that produces and stores the pollen for flowers. 
• The pollens reproduced by the anther work as the sperm during the sexual reproduction of the plant.
• During the time of fertilization, the pollen enters the stigma of the female flower to fertilize the ovule.
• The reproduction process will not happen if there is not anther present in the flower.

Anthers are bilobed structures on a slender filament, part of the stamen in a flower. Each lobe typically contains pollen sacs where pollen develops.  The anthers are responsible for many morphological variations in flowering plants. Based on the lobe structure and attachment to the slender filament, we can divide the anthers into different types:

• Bilobed: The most common type, with two lobes containing pollen sacs. (Standard Structure)
• Unilobed: Less frequent, with only one lobe containing pollen sacs. (Rare Exception)
• Linear: Elongated and narrow, resembling a straight line. (Long and Slender)
• Rounded: Roughly circular in shape, like a ball. (Globe-Shaped)
• Sagittate: Resembles an arrowhead, with pointed lobes. (Arrowhead Anther)
• Appendiculate: Possesses appendages or small outgrowths on the surface. (With Attachments)
• Reniform: Kidney-shaped, with a wider middle and narrower ends. (Bean-Shaped)

Also Read: Dithecous Anther – Structure, Formation, and Theca

The androecium is the male reproductive part of the flower that is made up of multiple stamens. The stamen is made of two parts including the anther and filament. The stamens are located in the middle part of the flower circularly. There are at least five to six stamens (varies depending on species) in a flower which is proportional to the number of the petals of a flower. 

The filament is a stalk-like structure that supports the anther at its tip and the anther holds the pollen grains. The androecium also has a sac-like structure that is also known as the microsporangia. It produces the microspores that develop into the pollen grains later. 

Read More: Corolla of Flower

Anther and stigma are the two different parts of a flower and their functions are also different. The difference between anther and stigma are mentioned below.

The functions and structure and other details are given below:

Anther Dehiscence is the process of splitting of the anther. It is the final stage where the anther breaks and releases the pollen grains through different processes including pollen differentiation, floral development, and flower opening. The tapetum helps the anther to perform the process.

Anther is an important part of the stamen and it plays an important role in the plant reproduction process. It is also known as the pollen-containing unit of a plant. In simple words, the anther is a part of the stamen that produces and stores the male sex cells of a plant. Anthers have a bilobed structure that is generally attached to a slender filament. The slender filament is a long stick-like structure that carries the pollen sac. This is also known as the stamen of a male flower.

Also Read:

• Bilobed Anther
• What is Stamen? Overview, Types, and Functions
• Overview of Microsporangia – Structure, Function and Diagram
• Diagram of Flower
• Pollen Grain Diagram

What is the Function of Anther?

The function of the anther is to produce and provide the pollen, the pollen containing anther acts as the sperm that is necessary for reproduction.

Is the Anther a Male?

Yes, the anther is the male reproductive part of a flower. It’s located at the top of the stamen, which is also a male part of the flower.

What is Anther and Stigma?

Anthers are the male reproductive part of a flower. Stigma is the female reproductive part of a flower. The anthers are bilobed with sac-like structures (microsporangia) present inside them. The stigma is a receptive base on which the pollen lands.

Explain Anther Structure.

The anthers are the male reproductive structures of a flower. The stigma is a flower’s female reproductive structure. Anthers are bilobed, containing sac-like structures known as microsporangia.

What do you Mean by Anther Dehiscence?

Anther Dehiscence is the process of splitting of the anther. It is the final stage where the anther breaks and releases the pollen grains through different processes including pollen differentiation, floral development, and flower opening. The tapetum helps the anther to perform the process.