Flowers
Flowers are a group of highly specialized structures used in the sexual reproduction of angiosperms. Every aspect of a flower (appearance, scent, pollen, nectar, etc.) is adapted for efficient pollination to produce seeds.
FlowersFlowers are a group of highly specialized structures used in the sexual reproduction of angiosperms. Every aspect of a flower (appearance, scent, pollen, nectar, etc.) is adapted for efficient pollination to produce seeds. |
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Flower types according to ovary position and fusion of flower parts: |
Superior ovary:Perianth and stamens attach to receptacle below the ovary |
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Hypogynous flowers:One or more pistils, each with a superior ovary;the bases of the perianth and stamens are separated. Examples: geranium, carnation. |
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Perigynous flowersOne or more pistils, each with a superior ovary;the bases of the perianth and stamens are fused into a cup-like hypanthium. Example: rose. |
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Inferior ovary:Perianth and stamens join on top of the ovary |
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Epigynous flowwersA single pistil with an inferior ovary;perianth and stamens can also fuse with ovary to form hypanthium. Examples: orchid, apple, fuschia, squash. |
Flower types according to sexual variations:Although the basic structure of a flower has four floral series, specialized variations have evolved for greater efficiency. |
| PERFECT bisexual or hermaphrodite Has both fertile floral series. |
COMPLETE always perfect |
Has all four floral series.
Examples: hibiscus, cactus, tulip. |
| INCOMPLETE | A perfect flower missing one or more sterile floral series. | |
| IMPERFECT unisexaul Has only one fertile floral series. |
always INCOMPLETE |
Pistillate flowers: with only gynoecium |
| Staminate flowers: with only androecium |
Plant types:Flowering plants are categorized according to their flower types. |
Monoclinous |
Plants with perfect flowers | |
DiclinousPlants with imperfect flowers |
Monoecious |
Have both male and female flowers on the same plants.
Common with wind-pollinated plants. Examples: maize, amorphophallus, jackfruit etc.. |
Dioecious |
Male and female flowers on separate plants.
No self-pollination (leading to greater diversity), but requires plants with opposite sexes to be close together. Examples: tropical pitcher plant, sweet bay, ginkgo, date palm, holly, asparagus, pampas grass etc.. |
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