False-colour scanning electron micrograph of the male reproductive structure, or anther, of the Crown of Thorns flower Euphorbia milii, also known as E. splendens. The two-lobed anther (orange) is supported on a filament (green) and is splitting open to reveal pollen grains (yellow). The Crown of Thorns is a popular houseplant; its common name reflecting the fact that it is a thorny shrub bearing red flowers. The 'flowers' of Euphorbia are a complex inflorescence called a cyathium. In this species the cyathium consists of a central female flower surrounded by male flowers reduced to a filament with one anther. The 'petals' are bracts. Magnification: x90 at 6x4.5cm size.