Anther

In botany, an anther refers to the tip or head of the stamen, the male reproductive organ in flowering plants like cannabis. Anthers are small sacs that produce and release pollen for plant reproduction. Cannabis plants that develop anthers are male. The anthers swell and burst to release pollen which fertilizes female cannabis flowers. Anthers on cannabis are sometimes called “bananas” due to their long, curved shape. They progress from green to yellow or red as the pollen inside ripens. Anthers hang in clusters at the center of cannabis flowers. Expert growers inspect plants closely to identify male plants by their anther formation. If female plants form anthers, they are at high risk of self-pollination and should be removed immediately. Select male plants are kept isolated from females then collected to breed specialized cannabis strains with desired traits.