Sacred lotus anther. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the anther (male pollen- producing part) of a sacred lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera). The anther opens when the pollen is mature. The pollen contains the male gametes (sex cells). The flowers of the sacred lotus can regulate their own temperature (thermoregulate). Only two other plant species are known to thermoregulate. Magnification unknown.