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In botany, a staminode is an often rudimentary, sterile or abortive stamen. This means that it does not produce pollen. Staminodes are frequently inconspicuous and stamen-like, usually occurring at the inner whorl of the flower.
Grinnell's Penstemon (Penstemon Grinellii)
showing a hairy yellow staminode Sometimes, the staminodes are modified to produce nectar, as in the Witch Hazel (Hamamelis).
Staminodes can be a critical characteristic for differentiating between species, especially in the orchid genus Paphiopedilum.
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