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Flower A flower is a part of the plants called angiosperms that holds the plant's reproductive organs. They are formed from buds. The flower is attached to the tip of a stem at a point called the receptacle. There are four basic flower parts. They are, going from the outside of the flower to the inside Sepals: A group of leafy like parts at the base of the flower altogether called the calyx. Petals: The colorful parts of the flower arranged within the sepals - altogether called the corolla. Stamens: The male part of the flower within the petals or corolla. They contain sacs holding pollen, the male sex cells and are called anther sacs. Carpels: The female part of the flower at its very center altogether called the ovary and also the pistil. At the bottom of the pistil are the eggs or ovules which are the female sex cells. When these tiny ovules become fertilzed with pollen they form seeds. The ovary then develops into fruit. The number of flower parts differs from flower group to flower group and is but one of the ways to tell the different plants apart. In the monocots, or plants whose seeds have one seed leaf, the parts tend to come in groups of threes. In dicots or plants with seeds with more than one seed leaf, the parts tend to come in twos or fours or five. Flowers can be without stamens, or without carpels or can have both.  A flower may comprise four organs made of modified leaves: * Sepals enclose the flower. * Petals may be brightly colored to attract pollinators. * Stamens produce pollen that contain sperm. * Carpels produce ovaries that contain eggs. A complete flower has all four basic floral organs. A perfect flower contains both male and female structures. An imperfect flower may be * staminate and contains no carpels, or * carpellate and contains no stamens. Flowers Quiz Click on the radio button in front of the correct answers to the questions. 1. Flowers are the part of the plant that holds reproductive parts of the plant in the group of plants called gymnosperms angiosperms ferns Correct:angiosperms 2. The parts of the flower that are the leaflike outermost layer altogether called the calyx are the petals stamens carpels sepals Correct:sepals 3. The colorful parts of the flower within the sepals altogether called the corolla are petals stamens carpels sepals Correct:petals 4. The male part of the flower that contains the pollen producing parts is the petals stamens carpels sepals Correct:stamens 5. The innermost part of the flower that contains the ovaries that make the ovules to be fertilized by the pollen are the petals stamens carpels sepals Correct:carpels 6. The base of the flower where it is attached to the rest of the plant is the receptacle pistil fruit Correct: receptacle 7. All flowers have the same number of flower parts. True False Correct:False 8. Plants whose seeds have one seed leaf are monocots dicots ferns Correct: monocots 9. Plants whose seeds have more than one seed leaf are monocots dicots ferns Correct: dicots |
 The invigorating beauty of flowers have always fascinated and enthralled people around the globe over the ages. Their beauty lies in their suppleness, their pleasant aroma and their diverse colors. Over the centuries, flowers have always enjoyed special interest and affection from lovers and poets through gifts and poems. These tranquil beauties have also placed them distinctively in mythology, folklore, and religious symbols of different races. Nothing conveys single meaning of love, beauty and pure innocence in full quintessence than flower. Botanically, flower is a modified, shortened, compacted branch that bears lateral appendages. Sepal, petal, stamen, and carpel, the basic floral parts are in fact greatly modified leaves. Flowers develop from buds in a similar fashion like twigs do. Flowers are whole host of combinations of form, size, color, and anatomical arrangement. There are different numerous parameters used in classification of flowers. The anatomical arrangement of flower is known as the morphology of flower. Flowers are classified based on their morphology. Classification according to the Morphology According to Corolla 1. Sympetalous – Flowers coming under this group come with their petals joined, partially or fully. 2. Polypetalous – The petals of these flowers coming under this group are not joined. 3. Actinomorphic – The flowers coming under this group are having characteristic radial symmetry. The flower can be divided into two identical parts along any imaginary axis through centre. These are further classified as funnel shaped, tubular shaped and campanulate (narrower than tubular, a bell like shape). Poppy family, cruciform and rose family are few notable examples of actinomorphic morphology. 4. Zygomorphic – The flowers display bilateral symmetry. Only two symmetrical parts are possible along a single axis passing through centre. Bilabiate flowers, display irregular corolla with upper lip made by joining two petals, and lower lip by joining three. In Papilionaceous flowers, corolla is made up of five petals. One at the most superior position, known as standard; two side ones, called wings and the keel, two joined ones present below. Classification Based on the position 1. Terminal – In this group, flowers or clusters of flowers arise on the ends of the axis or branches, like Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) and Nerium oleander 2. Axillary – flowers or clusters of flowers are carried at the junction of the stem or axis and the leaf, like Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle), Callicarpa mericana (beautyberry), and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus) Classification based on Flower Branches, Clusters, and Inflorences 1. Single Flower – In this group, single flower present at the tip of peduncle, an elongated stalk or branch of the main axis of the plant. The examples are tulip and Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia). 2. Cluster - In this, three or more flowers gathered in close formation together in simple or branched manner to enhance their conspicuousness. The examples are Ligustrum japonicum (ligustrum), Pentas spp. (pentas), Mangifera indica (mango), Pyracantha coccinea (firethorn), and Dianthus barbatus (sweet William). 3. Inflorescence – Inflorescence is the general term used for the arrangement of flowers or groups of flowers.. There is great assortment in this display among different types of flowers, but few characteristics remain same for a specific type and they are useful in their identification of species. They are further classified into the racemose type and the cymose type. a. Racemose Inflorescences - the axis of the inflorescence continues to grow and the flowers blossom in the axes of the reduced leaves or bracts, with the oldest flower is borne at the base and the newest flowers near the growing tip. b. Cymose Inflorescences - The development of a terminal flower stops the upward growth of the floral axis. The oldest flower is borne at the tip; with younger ones appearing lower down on the axis. The floral axis stops to elongate once the first flower opens, and so called a determinate inflorescence. Classification Based on Blossom 1. Annual flowers – They offer a better option for a longer blooming time. Annuals come in different varieties like‘ Tender’ annuals and Stronger annuals. Some annuals can endure frost or stand up to the elements Perennials produce brilliant flowers over a number of years. Most popular in perennial is the rose, grown in thorny bushes 2. Biennial flowers – They don’t blossom at all the first growing season and die after the second. Flowers come in different colors, some of those colors are common but some are rare and this rarity adds their beauty and makes them even more exotic. The popularity of flowers depends on their exclusive aroma, exquisiteness or both. Some times, popularity depends on some cultural traits peculiar to that geographical region. Rose is the most popular flower type in the world followed by other flowers such as Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Lilies, Carnations, Poinsettias, Gerberas, and Narcissus etc. Some flower types may not be very popular around the globe, but could be the most popular in their respective regions. It is time to do some study and dig up some dirt on the many, many types of beautiful flowers you can choose from. Whether you take time to sneak through the tulips, run with wildflowers, watch the daisies grow, laze around in the glory of morning flowers or unwind in the paradise of tropical blooms, the alluring, fragrant, and never-ending range of different types of flowers is sure to keep you invigorated and smelling like a rose for seasons to come! http://www.mcwdn.org/Plants/FlowersQuiz.html |