False coloured light micrograph of a cross section of a developing Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) bud. Hellebores are evergreen plants belonging to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Flowers are white, pink, purple or green and are composed of 5 petals. The tepals surround multiple bilobed anthers within which the male component of the flowers, the pollen grains, develop. The substantial female component of the flower, the pistil, is lobed and located centrally. Magnification: x8.3 at 10 cm wide.