Dry Stigma - Category of Stigma

The Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) stigma is covered with long unicellular hairs. At the time of pollination, the stigmatic hairs show a distinct and continuous cuticle which is closely pressed to the thin wall. The pellicle that represents extracellular proteins are present on the dry stigma. In addition, the stigmatic surface also carries lipids and phenolic substances. Immediately below are several layers of a thin-walled parenchymatous tissue with large intercellular spaces. The size of the intercellular spaces gradually decreases until no such space is present and the cell wall thickens with heavy pectin content. This tissue provides a connecting link with the transmitting tissue.