FEMALE GAMETOPHYTE (n)

The further development of the male and female cones is synchronised so that the male cones release the pollen when the scales of the female cones have moved apart. The micropyle of the ovule, through which the pollen will gain access to the egg cell, is located at the base of the scale close to the cone axis. Wind-borne pollen is swirled around the cone and filters down towards the micropyle.
The ovule magnified to show two pollen grains which have already entered the micropyle.