Grain Collection (#79)

Paper bush pollen, SEM
Paper bush pollen. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains of the paper bush (Edgworthia papyrifera). Pollen contains the male sex cells of a flowering plant

Sunflower pollen, SEM
Sunflower pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from the sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Pollen tubes, SEM
Pollen tubes. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen tubes (orange) on the pistil of a prairie gentian flower (Gentiana sp.). Pollen contains the male sex cells of a flowering plant

Pollen grain surface, SEM
Pollen grain surface. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a pollen grain. The characteristic outer wall, or exine

Zinnia disc floret, SEM
Zinnia disc floret. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Zinnia sp. flower head disc floret. This floret (true flower) is found in the central (disc) region of the flower head

Rose of Sharon pollen, SEM
Rose of Sharon pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from a rose of Sharon flower (Hibiscus syriacus)

Morning glory pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains (orange balls) on the pistil (female reproductive parts) of a morning glory flower (Ipomoea sp.)

Maize grain, light micrograph
Maize grain. Light micrograph of a vertical section through the grain of a maize plant (Zea mays). This is the fruit of the plant, and includes the endosperm (larger area, upper right, light pink)

Cosmos flower pistil, SEM
Cosmos flower pollination. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen (red balls) on part of the pistil (female reproductive structure) of a cosmos (Cosmos sp.) flower

Pollen
Pollination. Computer artwork of pollen grains (yellow spiky balls) on the pistil (red) of a flower. Pollen grains contain the male sex cells (gametes) of a flowering plant

Hibiscus flower pollination, SEM
Hibiscus flower pollination. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains (small balls, lower centre) on the pistil of a Hibiscus sp. flower

Cyclamen anther (Cyclamen sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The anther of a plant sits at the top of the filament and comprises part of the stamen (male reproductive part)

Common dewberry pollen, SEM
Common dewberry pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from the common dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)

Pollination. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains (orange) on the stigmas (tips of the green projections) of a flower

Pollen grains, computer artwork. Pollen grains are reproductive structures produced by flowers. They display a great variation in their size, shape and surface texture

Hollyhock pollen

Daisy pollen, SEM
Daisy pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from the daisy flower (family Asteraceae)

Morning glory stigma and pollen, SEM
Morning glory stigma and pollen. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the stigma (brown) of a morning glory flower (Ipomoea sp.), with pollen grains (orange)

Pollen grains on a harelquin bug, SEM
Pollen grains stuck on the body of a harlequin bug (Murgantia sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Pollen grains are the male sex cells of a flowering plant

Pollen on honey bee leg, SEM
Pollen. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains on the leg of a honey bee (Apis mellifera). Pollen grains are the male sex cells of a flowering plant

Pollen grains, SEM
Pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains (purple) from an unidentified plant. There is great variation in the size, shape and surface texture of pollen

Maize seed, light micrograph
Maize seed. Light micrograph of a section through the seed of a maize plant (Zea mays), showing the embryo. The embryonic area includes a radicle (bottom right) and plumule (not seen)

Rosebay pollination, SEM
Rosebay pollination. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the pistil (orange) and stamens (yellow) of a rosebay (Nerium oleander) flower

Morning glory pollen grains, SEM
Morning glory pollen grains. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen grains from a morning glory flower (Ipomoea sp.)

Tulip anther, light micrograph
Tulip anther. Light micrograph of a cross-section through the anther of a tulip bud (Tulipa sp.), showing a full anther sac with developing pollen grains (white)

Pollinated flower pistil, SEM
Pollinated flower pistil. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of pollen (round, orange) on the stigmas (yellow) of a field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) flower pistil

Pea flower stigma, SEM
Pea flower stigma. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the surface of a common or garden pea flower (Pisum sativum) stigma

Pollen on stink bug, SEM
Pollen grains (orange) on the leg of a stink bug (order Hemiptera), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Pollen grains are the male sex cells of a flowering plant

Compound starch grains, light micrograph
Compound starch grains. Light micrograph of compound starch grains in the parenchyma cells of Phajus glandifolius, taken under polarised light

Black ant carrying grain seed
Black ant. Close up of a black ant (family Formicidae) carrying a grain seed in its large jaws (mandibles). Photographed in Israel

Salt grain, SEM
Salt grain, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A salt (sodium chloride) crystal is composed of a cubic lattice of sodium and chloride ions. Salt is commonly used as seasoning in cooking

Salt grains, SEM
Salt grains, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Each salt (sodium chloride) crystal is composed of a cubic lattice of sodium and chloride ions. Salt is commonly used as seasoning in cooking

Orchid tuber, light micrograph
Orchid tuber. Polarised light micrograph of a transverse section through the root tuber of an orchid (Phaius grandifolius) showing starch grains (blue-red and yellow-green)

Sand, SEM
Sand. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of grains of sand from a beach

SOVIET POSTER, 1957. Fill the sacks with grain! Soviet poster with Estonian text, 1957, by Sima Shkop

COROT: THE MILL. The Mill of St. Nicholas les Arras. Oil on canvas by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, 19th century

THE HEART OF YOUTH, 1919. Lila Lee in a scene from the film

BUSN2A-00243
Traveling photographer taking a picture of farmers in their field, 1880s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century A.B. Frost illustration

Moundbuilders harvesting corn and squash
Mound-builders gathering their crops of maize and squash. Photogravure reproduction of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00177
Native American family planting maize in hills. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00199
Native American women gathering wild rice by threshing it into their canoe. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2D-00001
Ceremonial figure with cornstalk, a fresco on interior kiva wall, circa 1500 at Tiguex (Kuaua Pueblo) on the Rio Grande, Coronado State Park in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Digital photograph

NATI2D-00249
Native American metates y manos, or grinding stones for corn, at San Luis Rey mission, California. Digital photograph

NATI2A-00141
Native Americans using fishbone hoes to plant maize and beans, Florida, 1500s. Hand-colored woodcut reproduction of a DeBry engraving of a LeMoyne illustration

NATI2A-00101
Iroquois woman pounding dried corn in a large wooden mortar in her cabin, 1890s. Hand-colored halftone reproduction of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00042
Native American women gathering wild rice in baskets. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

NATI2A-00032
Native American village and gardens of Secotan, North Carolina, then in Virginia Colony, 1600s. Hand-colored woodcut of a John White illustration

AGRI2D-00027
Muticolored corn, a Native American staple crop, in an Indian basket. Digital photograph

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From the vast fields of TS Arethusa in 1962 to the modern marvels of John Deere combine harvesters, it has always been at the heart of agricultural abundance. As golden barley crops sway in the breeze, a tractor diligently fills trailers with this precious bounty. But grains come in all shapes and sizes - even lavender pollen grains under an electron microscope reveal their intricate beauty. Across continents, from Mitchell's Corn Palace in South Dakota to Old Towngate in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, grain weaves its way into our lives. In waterways like the Erie Canal at Troy, New York, barges transport tons for trade and sustenance. And let us not forget about wild rice, standing tall amidst serene waters as Zizania aquatica thrives. Even breweries rely on grains like those found within Bass Brewery Mash-tubs; they are essential ingredients that create beloved beverages. Nature's artistry is further showcased through Dahlia flower pollen seen up close under SEM - a testament to life's microscopic wonders. As locks open along the Erie Canal and boats pass through seamlessly, it becomes evident how vital these pathways are for transporting grains across regions. And who can resist gazing upon Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece 'Wheat Field with Cypresses, ' where wheat dances harmoniously with nature? Grain is more than just sustenance; it represents resilience and prosperity throughout history. Whether it be Triticum vulgare or bread wheat providing nourishment or inspiring artists' brushstrokes on canvas – grain connects us all.