Which part of a flower holds and supports the stigma?

The part of a flower that holds and supports the stigma is the style. The stigma is the sticky part at the top of the pistil that receives pollen during the pollination process. The structure of the style allows it to connect the stigma to the ovary, which contains the ovules. This connection is essential for facilitating fertilization, as it provides a pathway for the pollen tube to grow down to the ovary, allowing sperm to reach the ovules.

The other parts listed serve different roles in the flower's anatomy: the filament supports the anther, which produces pollen; the sepal protects the developing flower, and the anther is specifically involved in pollen production and release. This distinct arrangement of flower structures is crucial for efficient reproduction in flowering plants.