by Marek Ples
During my master's studies, I conducted research on the development of plant cells, specifically epidermal cells of Anagallis arvensis (Fig.1).
Fig.1
Anagallis arvensis commonly known as the scarlet or red pimpernel is a species of low-growing annual plant with brightly colored flowers, most often scarlet but also bright blue and sometimes pink. The native range of the species is Europe and Western Asia and North Africa. The species has been distributed widely by humans, either deliberately as an ornamental flower or accidentally. Plant is now naturalised almost worldwide, with a range that encompasses the Americas, Central and East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Malesia, the Pacific Islands, Australasia and Southern Africa.
In Figure 2, you can see microscopic photographs of anatomical elements of this plant taken using various techniques.
Fig.2
A - Petals of Anagallis arvensis at different stages of development (PAS, bright-field),
B - Petal stained using PAS method - cell walls clearly visible (fluorescence microscopy),
C - Petal stained with gentian violet - cell nuclei visible (bright-field),
D - Petal stained with safranin - cell nuclei visible (bright-field),
E - Petal stained with 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) - cell nuclei visible (fluorescence microscopy)
F - Epidermis of mature A. arvensis petal - the wall of one of the cells is marked with a black outline (bright-field/phase contrast, combined)
Interestingly, Anagallis arvensis has its place in culture. A notable example can be found in J.R.R. Tolkien's books, known worldwide. The fictional flower Elanor is said to be a little enlarged version of pimpernel, according to one of author's letters. The flower appears in The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and in Unfinished Tales.
For more information, please visit www.weirdscience.eu. You can also contact me by email (moze.dzis@gmail.com).