selective focus photography of pink textile

The Mirabilis Jalapa, or Four O’Clock flower, is so named because it opens only briefly in the late afternoon. This is an extreme macro of the stigma, part of the “female” reproductive system of the flower. Just out of focus you can see the 5 orange anthers, part of the “male” reproductive system. The anthers will open to release pollen which will be carried to the stigma, thus allowing the flower to reproduce via seeds. The stigma is covered with tiny balls, creating a lot of surface area for the pollen to stick to. Up close, it looks like some alien or undersea creature.