What part of a flower is responsible for producing pollen?

The anther is crucial in the reproductive process of flowering plants as it is the specialized part of the stamen responsible for producing pollen. Pollination is essential for the reproduction of many plant species, and pollen grains contain the male gametes that fertilize the ovules in the ovary. When an insect or other pollinator visits a flower, it can transfer this pollen from one anther to the stigma of another flower, enabling fertilization.

In contrast, the stigma is the part of the pistil where pollen lands and is received, but it does not produce pollen itself. The filament is simply the stalk that supports the anther, and the petals primarily serve to attract pollinators with their color and scent rather than being involved in the production of reproductive cells. Thus, the anther is the definitive source of pollen in the flower structure.