What structure supports the anther in a flower?

The correct answer is the filament. The filament is the part of the stamen that supports the anther, which is the part of the flower where pollen is produced. The filament is typically a slender, stalk-like structure that elevates the anther to a position where it can effectively release pollen and increase the chances of pollination by making it more accessible to pollinators or the wind.

In the context of a flower, the stamen is the entire male reproductive structure and consists of both the filament and the anther. While the pedicel is the stem that supports the flower itself, and the style is part of the female reproductive structure that connects the ovary to the stigma, neither of these plays a role in supporting the anther directly. The filament is specifically designed to heighten the anther, making the role of the filament critical for reproduction in flowering plants.