What is a flower? Describe the parts of a typical angiosperm flower.
A
flower can be defined as the reproductive unit of any flowering plant
(angiosperms). Flowers carry out sexual reproduction in angiosperms. A typical
flower is a modified stem with a condensed axis. A flower has four different
parts i.e., the calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium. Androecium and
gynoecium represent the male and female reproductive organs of a flower (respectively).
Parts
of flowers
(A)
The calyx forms the outermost whorl of a flower, which contains sepals.
They are green, leaf–like structures that cover and protect the flowers during
the bud stage. When the sepals of a flower are free, they are called
polysepalous, while fused sepals of a flower are called gamosepalous.
(B)
The corolla of a flower is a layer that lies inside the calyx. It contains
beautifully coloured petals, which help in attracting insects for pollination.
When the petals are free, they are called polypetalous, while fused petals are
called gamopetalous.
(C)
The androecium or the stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower. It
consists of two parts, the filament and the bilobed anther. The bilobed anther
is the site for meiosis and the generation of pollen grains.
(D)
Gynoecium represents the female reproductive part of a flower. It consists
of an ovary. The ovary is connected by a long tube (called style) to the
stigma. The ovary bears numerous ovules attached to the placenta.
A
flower can be defined as the reproductive unit of any flowering plant
(angiosperms). Flowers carry out sexual reproduction in angiosperms. A typical
flower is a modified stem with a condensed axis. A flower has four different
parts i.e., the calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium. Androecium and
gynoecium represent the male and female reproductive organs of a flower (respectively).
Parts of flowers
(A) The calyx forms the outermost whorl of a flower, which contains sepals. They are green, leaf–like structures that cover and protect the flowers during the bud stage. When the sepals of a flower are free, they are called polysepalous, while fused sepals of a flower are called gamosepalous.
(B) The corolla of a flower is a layer that lies inside the calyx. It contains beautifully coloured petals, which help in attracting insects for pollination. When the petals are free, they are called polypetalous, while fused petals are called gamopetalous.
(C) The androecium or the stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower. It consists of two parts, the filament and the bilobed anther. The bilobed anther is the site for meiosis and the generation of pollen grains.
(D) Gynoecium represents the female reproductive part of a flower. It consists of an ovary. The ovary is connected by a long tube (called style) to the stigma. The ovary bears numerous ovules attached to the placenta.
