I. Fruit of Silene stenophylla found in a 30,000 year-old squirrel burrow On the left, dissected fruit showing seeds (the black "spots") and placenta P.
On the right, placenta and seeds; the placenta feeds the seeds during their development.
The dashes A and B represent 1 mm (one millimeter)
II. Flowers of Silene stenophylla, all grown in vitroA. flowers of plant obtained from a seed of a modern living plant
B. the first flowers, only female, grown from the (?) placental tissue of the ancient fruit
C. the final plant, after the first flowers (B) were fertilised by pollen found with the frozen seeds
b= bisexual flowers f = female flowers
Comparaison between A and C is absolutely necessary to leave no doubt about C being the ancient plant.
a seed is a grain from which a new plant can grow
the placenta (in plants) is the fleshy tissue in the fruit, on which the seeds grow
in vitro means in the laboratory (literally: 'in glass')
by Nicole, published in June 2012