Fig. 10.2-7. Transverse section of petal of dog’s-tooth violet (actually a lily, not a violet; Erythronium). Petals, stamens, and styles are usually just ephemeral organs, that is, they last only one or two days. They typically have a very thin and delicate epidermis: the plant appears to expend as few resources as possible on their construction. This petal of Erythronium shows that the entire petal, not just the epidermis, is very lightly constructed. In contrast, the petals of some flowers, such as orchids, often last for weeks or months and will have a more substantial epidermis.