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Inbotany, astaminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortivestamen, which means that it does not producepollen.[1][page needed] Staminodes are frequently inconspicuous and stamen-like, usually occurring at the inner whorl of the flower, but are also sometimes long enough to protrude from the corolla.[citation needed]
Sometimes, the staminodes are modified to producenectar, as in the witch-hazel(Hamamelis).[2]
Staminodes can be a critical characteristic for differentiating between species, for instance in the orchid genusPaphiopedilum, and among thepenstemons.
In the case ofcannas, the petals are inconsequential and the staminodes are refined into eye-catching petal-like replacements.
A spectacular example of staminode is given byCouroupita guianensis, atropical tree growing in South America also known as the cannonball tree.
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