A Miniature Orchid
Dane Gerneke
Delicate samples such as small flowers are challenging to image in Micro-CT as they can change shape when drying out over the long time (hours) while imaging. This 16mm orchid was successfully imaged using cryoMicro-CT with the sample frozen at -30°C. Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) is a method to highlight bright internal structures. The bright lobes are the flowers pollen sacs hidden within the complex folds of the flower. It also reveals that the cells of the petals have denser strengthen borders to assist structural stiffness that maintain the flowers complex shape. Do you see a creature ?