What is aestivation? Describe various types of aestivation.
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Solution
Aestivation:
The mode of arrangement of sepals or petals in the floral bud with respect to the other members of the same whorl is known as aestivation.
Types of aestivation:
Valvate:
When sepals or petals in a whorl just touch one another at the margin, without overlapping, it is said to be valvate.
Example - Calotropis.
Twisted:
If one margin of the appendage overlaps that of the next one and so on, it is called twisted.
Example- Ladyfinger
Imbricate:
If the margins of sepals or petals overlap one another but not in any particular direction, the aestivation is called imbricate.
Example- Gulmohur
Vexillary:
The largest (standard) petal overlaps the two lateral petals (wings), which overlap the two smallest anterior petals (keel) in pea and bean flowers; this type of aestivation is known as vexillary or papilionaceous.
