科學圖說

生命的通道(Tube of Life)

在顯微鏡的觀察下，日日春花瓣連接花托筒的中心直徑約1公釐，其內布滿纖毛。
此纖毛可以防止灰塵、雨水自開口進入，保護花藥和雌蕊，使它們可以藏在花托筒中。
而當昆蟲為吸食花蜜將口器伸入花托筒時，可將花粉推往柱頭周邊以完成授粉。

The petals of the rosy periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) connect to the center of the floral tube, which measures about 1 mm in diameter. Under the microscope, we can see cilia around the inside. These keep out dust and rain to protect the anther and pistil, allowing them to remain concealed within the floral tube. When insects come to feed on its nectar, their mouthparts enter the floral tube, bringing pollen to the stigma to complete pollination.