Involved in pollen wall development. Catalyzes the conversion of medium-chain saturated fatty acids to the corresponding monohydroxylated fatty acids, with a preferential hydroxylation of lauric acid at the C-7 position. In-chain hydroxylated fatty acids, together with omega-hydroxylated fatty acids, are key monomeric aliphatic building blocks for sporopollenin synthesis during exine formation. dodecanoate + O2 + reduced [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] = 7-hydroxydodecanoate + H(+) + H2O + oxidized [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] Specifically expressed in the tapetum cell layer and the microspores of anthers at the tetrad stage. Expression starts to decrease during pollen maturation and tapetum cell degeneration to finally disappear. Impaired pollen development and partial male-sterile phenotype. Belongs to the cytochrome P450 family.