Question

Sunflower is not a flower. Explain.

Answer 1

Introduction

A flower usually contains floral whorls that are calyx, corolla, androecium, gynoecium. Sunflower is not one flower but is made up of many flowers on a flattened receptacle. Therefore, sunflower is an inflorescence.

Inflorescence

The type of inflorescence in sunflower is called capitulum in which the main axis called receptacle is flattened. The whole cluster of florets remain surrounded by bracts which is known as involucre. Two kinds of florets are found in sunflower:

• Ray florets: These are sterile, zygomorphic, have strap-shaped petals and arranged in one or more whorls on the receptacle.
• Disc florets: These are present at the center of the infloresence and are bisexual, actinomorphic in nature.