Question

In a floral formula, the symbol ${\frac{G}{}}^{}{}_{\left(5\right)}$ indicates that the gynoecium is

• A. pentacarpellary, syncarpous with a superior ovary
• B. pentacarpellary, apocarpous with a superior ovary
• C. pentacarpellary, syncarpous with a inferior ovary
• D. pentacarpellary, apocarpous with a superior ovary

Answer 1

The correct option is A pentacarpellary, syncarpous with a superior ovary

${\frac{G}{}}^{}{}_{\left(5\right)}$ indicates that the gynoecium (represented by the letter G) is made up of five carpels (pentacarpellary-represented by the number 5), the carpels are united (syncarpous-the brackets represents this) and the gynoecium is hypogynous (ovary is above all the floral whorls - the line below the letter G represents the whorls below the gynoecium) with a superior ovary.

Apocarpous is when the carpels are free from one another (no brackets).
Inferior ovary (the line will be above G) is where all the floral whorls arise from above the ovary and the gynoecium is described as epigynous.