Dithecous Anther: definition, meaning, diagram, Structure, Formation

What Is Anther?

The anther is that part of the stamen, the male organ of flowering plants or angiosperms, which opens to liberate the pollen. A "dithecous" anther has two lobes or thecae, each bearing two pollen sacs; it can produce a huge amount of pollen. This is quite an important structural feature in plant reproduction, as the efficiency and quantity of pollen production increase for successful pollination and fertilization. Production of pollen in adequate amounts by the dithecous anther is critical to the reproductive success of most angiosperms since it ensures delivery of the male gametes into the female reproductive structure.

Structure Of Dithecous Anther

The structure is described below-

Anatomy Of The Anther

Anther is that part of the stamen which bears pollen, composed of pollen sacs where the production of pollen grains takes place.

Comparison between monoecious and dithecous anthers

If one theca is present on the anther, it is called monoecious, and if two thecae are present, then the condition is known as dithecous; each theca has two pollen sacs.

Detailed Structure Of Dithecous Anther

Number of thecae and pollen sacs

The dithecous anther has two thecae with two pollen sacs in it. Therefore, there are four locules.

The function Of Dithecous Anther

The functions are given below:

Pollen Production And Release

The pollen matures in the pollen sacs through the process of microsporogenesis. The anther decreases, opening itself to let mature pollen grains out into the open for the fertilisation process.

Role In Pollination

Dithecous anthers are effective in dispersing pollen. This helps in the process of pollination by transferring pollen to the stigma. Examples of plants with dithecous anther include most of the flowering plants, for instance, the lily and rose. These use different kinds of pollination agents like wind and insects.

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