What is monocarpellary?
A carpel is a basic unit of gynoecium which is the female reproductive part of a flower. It consists of the style, stigma and ovary. The ovary is the swollen basal part that has the ovules. The gynoecium with a single carpel is termed as monocarpellary. The gynoecium of avocado, pea, mango and even coconut are monocarpellary.
What is multicarpellary?
The gynoecium with many carpels is termed multicarpellary. Here, each carpel is a complete unit consisting of all three reproductive parts (style, stigma and ovary). Generally, carpel is considered as the fourth whorl of a flower.
Examples –
- Strawberry and Rose (multicarpellary apocarpous).
- Brinjal and Tomato (multicarpellary syncarpous).
Difference between Monocarpellary and Multicarpellary
Monocarpellary |
Multicarpellary |
|---|---|
| The gynoecium has only one carpel. | The gynoecium has many carpels. |
| It has only one pistil. | It has more than one pistil. |
| Examples – Pea, Avocado and Mango. | Examples – Tomata, Strawberry and Rose. |
Frequently Asked Questions on Difference between Monocarpellary and Multicarpellary
What is an apocarpous and syncarpous ovary?
When a flower has more than one carpel, it can be fused or unfused. The ovary with free carpels is apocarpous. The ovary with their carpels fused is termed syncarpous. Sometimes, a syncarpous might look like a monocarpellary. Usually, the apocarpous ovary produces aggregate fruits like strawberries. Tomato and Brinjal are examples of syncarpous.
What is a pistil?
A pistil is the seed-bearing, innermost part of a flower that has the ovary. It is usually composed of carpel/carpels. It is the carpel that produces eggs and undergoes fertilization. A flower that has gynoecium and does not have a stamen (pollen producing part), is called a carpellate or pistillate flower.
What are style and stigma?
Stigma is the sticky knob-like structure of a carpel. It receives pollen and germination of pollen grains happens here. The style is a narrow stalk-like structure that connects the ovary and stigma. It is usually considered as an extension of the ovary. A stigma without style is considered sessile.
Also Read:
- Flower – Parts and Functions
- Difference between apocarpous and syncarpous
- Difference between carpel and pistil
- Sexual reproduction in flowering plants
Keep exploring BYJU’S Biology for more exciting topics.
Comments