FLOWER STRUCTURE: EASY DRAWING AND FUNCTION OF FLOWER    

 FLOWER STRUCTURE

DEFINITION OF GAMETES :- Flowers are the reproductive parts of plants,which are responsible for the production of gametes or sex cells ((non flowering plants).

A flower is modified shoot in which the leaves are modified  into floral parts. A blossom propagates   a branch from a bud in the axil of a little leaf-like structure called the bract. A bract is commonly green  due to presence of chlorophyll and is a very small structure (non flowering plants).

FLOWERING PLANTS-NON FLOWERING PLANTS.

Trees that have flowers with stalk of a flower are called flowering plants or angiosperms. There are many other trees such as pine (non flowering plants),firs (non flowering plants), redwoods (non flowering plants), etc. which do not have flowers (non flowering plants) and they are called gymnosperms or naked-seeded plants (non flowering plants).

                 TYPICAL STRUCTURE OF A BISEXUAL FLOWER WITH STALK OF A FLOWER.

Fig#1 simplified diagram of a flower

  1. A) Pedicel /Stalk or stalk of a flower

Blossoms are modified as a particular branch at the tip of a stalk known as pedicel or peduncle (non flowering plants).

Fig#2 bracts bearing flower in Bougainvillea

In some plants such as tulip, there is  only one pedicel bearing a single flower.In others , such as lilac the pedicel is branched and bears many flowers. There are some  flowers ( like saffron ) without a stalk .These flowers are known as  sessile flowers.

B) Receptacle ( Thalamus)

non flowering  plants

The pedicel swells at its tip  into a small cup-shaped pad known as receptacle or thalamus. Thalamus can be flat ,conical,concave or dome- shaped  in different shapes.

All the floral  whorls along with stalk of a flower arise from the receptacle. The lower part of a blossom are connected to the receptacle in rings or whorls.

C) Floral Whorls

Generally , a flower consists of four whorls,

  • The calyx ( the green coloured sepals) on the outside (first whorl)
  • The corolla ( coloured petals ) lying inside the calyx ( second whorl ).
  • The androecium ( male   parts ) enclosed by the corolla ( third whorl ) and
  • The gynoecium ( female parts ) at the centre of the flower ( fourth whorl),

D ) Nectaries

Nectar is  a sweet fragrant liquid secreted by most of the flowers. These flowers have the  nectar  secreting cells, called nectarines. Nectaries are found near the base of the  pistil or or on the base of the petals. Nectar helps cross pollination .In  Nasturtinum  flowers ,the nectarines are very large  and prominent.

( non flowering plants)

COMPLETE AND  INCOMPLETE FLOWERS.

* Complete   flower:- A flower which has all the four types of floral structures along with stalk of a flower namely, calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium called complete flower e.g. Hibiscus

*  Incomplete flower:-  A flower in which any one or more of the four floral parts are missing are called an Incomplete flower e.g.pumpkin. ( polyadelphous stamen)

 

  ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A FLOWER (NON FLOWERING PLANTS)

* Essential  ( reproductive )  parts of a flower.:- Those parts of a  flower which are directly concerned with reproduction are known as  essential parts of a flower.

For example, stamens ( male parts ) and the carpels ( female  parts ) are the essential parts of a flower.

*Non-essential (non-reproductive) parts of a flower) :- Those parts of a flower  which directly do not take part in reproduction  are called  non-essential  parts of a flower.They simply either protecting  the  reproductive parts or to make the flower  attractive for pollination. For example, sepals and petals are non-essential parts of  the flower.

NON ESSENTIAL PARTS OF A FLOWER (NON FLOWERING PLANTS).                                                                                                            

      CALYX.:THE  Calyx is the outermost whorl of the flower.  It consists of  three to five sepals,which are generally green  in colour and However look like small leaves,that cover  an unopened floral bud.  However as  in Gulmohar,they may be coloured and are known as petaloid sepals. ( polyadelphous stamen)

MODIFICATION OF CALYX.

Fig#3 diagram of modification of calyx

When sepals are free from each other,as in mustard or raddish,they are known as polysepalous  or they may be  fused to form a cup  in flowers of other plants such as china rose, (gamosepalous).

FUNCTIONS

*the calyx encloses and protects the inner whorls of the flower in the bud stage.

*Since the sepals contain chlorophyll,they can also synthesize  food (photosynthesis).

*Together   with petals ,they also attract the birds and insects for pollination.

2) COROLLA:- The Corolla is the most conspicuous part  in the flower  because it is usually white or brightly coloured. The  corolla  forms the second whorl from outside,inner to the calyx. This whorl is made  up  of petals, which are much larger than  sepals. Petal number of flower is different  from  plant to plant.

Fig#4 diagram of modification of corolla

(non flowering plant)

MODIFICATION OF PETAL :- In some flowers the petals are green in colour,known as sepaloid petals.The petals may be separate from each other as in mustard  flower ( known as polypetalous),or become partly/completely fused as in petunia ( known as gamopetalous).  If   the petals are completely fused, they form a corolla tube

F) FUNCTIONS :-

(non flowering plant)

* The brightly coloured  corolla  attracts pollinating agent causing cross pollination such as insects and birds.

*Some petals are scented with a nectary which produces sugary nectar. The insects and birds come to collect this nectar while doing so transfer pollen  from one flower to another.

* The corolla encloses and protects the stamens and the pistil.

 ESSENTIAL PART

Fig#5 diagram of stamen or androecium

(non flowering plant)

A) Androecium :- The Androecium ( Andros  meaning male ) forms the third whorl  on the inside  of the   flower. Androecium consists of stamens. These are the male reproductive organs. Every stamen is comprised of a thin  versatile stalk known as the filament which is fibrous, which holds the anther at its end. Anther is appended to the filament. With the help of a structure known as the connective. Each anther is two lobed. Each lobe  has two pollen sacs. Thus each anther is made-up of  four pollen sacs in which pollen grains are formed.Pollen grains are fine,powdery,granular structure which contain the male gametes.

Variations in the Androecium.

(NON FLOWERING PLANTS)

NUMBER OF STAMENS : The number of stamens may differ greatly  in flowers of plants from different families For example, some grases have only one stamen,Mexican blood trumpet and  jacarandas have four stamens and roses have several dozens.

2.POSITIONS OF STAMENS  WITHIN A FLOWER :-The stamens may originate near the base of the pistil

Fig#6 diagram of epipetalous stamen

or they may be fused at their base with the petals and appear to originate out of the petal. For example,in Petunia flower ,the filaments  are attached with the petals and the condition is known as epipetalous. (NON FLOWERING PLANTS)

STAMENS FUSED OR FREE:-

Fig#7 diagram of polyadelphous stamen

Polyadelphous: The stamens may be free and filaments are united,known as polydelphous androecium,for example mustard,Bombax etc.

Monadelphous: The  filaments may be fused and anthers are free,known as monadelphous  androecium,for example peas,beans and Hibiscus.

Fig#8 diagram of monadelphous and diadelphous stamen

Diadelphous : The filaments are united into two bundles and the anthers remain free,known as the diadelphous stamens,for example, peas,gram,beans.

Fig#9 diagram of syngenesious stamen and synandrous stamen

Syngenesious: In some other cases as in sun-flower,the filaments are free but the anthers are united. (NON FLOWERING PLANTS)        

FUNCTIONS,

* The anther produces pollen grains which contain the male reproductive  cells,i.e the gametes.

* The filament carrys and supports the anther in the most proper situation for the exchange of pollen dust to transfer.

B)Gynoecium.

The gynoecium  is the fourth  and the innermost whorl of a flower. The gynoecium consists of ovule-bearing basic units called pistils or carpels. Collectively, carpels from the gynoecium, which is referred to as the female part of the flower because the carpels produce the female gametes. (synandrous stamen) 

A flower may have one or more pistils, which consists of :

  • Ovary : The basal portion is called OVARY which contains the ovules or embryo seeds. The female gametes develop in the ovule.
  • Stigma : Area, where the pollen is received, is called the stigma. The stigma is the terminal part of a carpel which receives the pollen grains.
  • Style : Often the stigma may be borne on a slender stalk like structure called the style. Style connects stigma to the ovary.

VARIATIONS IN THE GYNOECIUM. ( ———— are the non-essential parts of a flower)

NUMBER OF CARPELS: –Peas and beans have only a single carpel,which forms a single pistil. Such gynoecium is   known as monocarpellary. It may be bicarpellary,as  in mustard flower where two carpels  are present.There may be more than two as in magnolia and lady’s finger,known as polycarpellary.

POSITION OF THE OVARY IN A FLOWER.   

Fig#10 diagram of hypogynous flower

HYPOGYNY (THE SUPERIOR OVARY)If the ovary is attached above the attachment of the other three whorls,I,e, the corolla,calyx and androecium,the ovary is said to be superior ovary and the condition is known as HYPOGYNY.Such flowers are called hypogynous flowers. Example, China rose, mustard,citrus etc.

Fig#11 diagram of epigynous flower

(non flowering plant)

EPIGYNY :(THE INFERIOR OVARY) If ovary is below the level of attachment of the three whorls,and the receptacle completely grows around the ovary,it is called inferior ovary and the condition is known as EPYGYNY.Such flowers are called Epygynous flowers,example : Sunflower, cucumber etc. ( synandrous stamen)

Fig#12 diagram of perigynous flower

PERIGYNY:-(THE INTERMEDIATE OVARY OR HALF INFERIOR OVARY) If the ovary is surrounded by a receptacle which grows to form a cup-shaped structure uo to the midway of the ovary and the other three whorls sprout from the receptacle rim,the ovary is said to be  HALF-INFERIOR,  or INTERMEDIATE. Such condition is known as perigynia and the flowers are called  perigynous flowers. Example, : Pea,been etc. ( ———— are the non-essential parts of a flower)

INFLORESCENCE-ARRANGEMENT OF FLOWERS ON FLORAL STEM.

(non flowering plant)

An INFLORESCENCE   is an arrangement of group or cluster of flowers  on a branch of a plant. Inflorescence refers to the way of  individual flowers arranged on the  axis or floral stem or rachis.  (synandrous stamen)

Fig#13 diagram of racemose and cymose inflorescence

(non flowering plant)

Depending upon the arrangement of flowers on the axis, or peduncle may be branched may be branched or  or unbranched. The Inflorescence  is of two types—racemose and cymose about which you may know afterwards.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top