Types of flowersTypes of flowers

• A A flowerflower, also known as a bloom or , also known as a bloom or blossomblossom, is the , is the reproductivereproductive structure found in structure found in flowering plantsflowering plants (plants of the division (plants of the division MagnoliophytaMagnoliophyta, , also called angiosperms). also called angiosperms).

• The biological function of a flower is The biological function of a flower is to mediate the union of male sperm to mediate the union of male sperm with female ovum in order to produce with female ovum in order to produce seeds.seeds.

• The process begins with pollination, The process begins with pollination, is followed by fertilization, leading to is followed by fertilization, leading to the formation and dispersal of the the formation and dispersal of the seeds. seeds.

• The grouping of flowers on a plant The grouping of flowers on a plant are called the are called the inflorescence. .

• Each flower has a specific design Each flower has a specific design which best encourages the transfer which best encourages the transfer of its of its pollenpollen

• CleistogamousCleistogamous flowers flowers are self are self pollinated, after which, they may pollinated, after which, they may or may not open. or may not open.

• EntomophilousEntomophilous flowers flowers attract and attract and use insects, bats, birds or other use insects, bats, birds or other animals to transfer pollen from one animals to transfer pollen from one flower to the next. flower to the next.

• Flowers commonly have glands Flowers commonly have glands called called nectariesnectaries on their various on their various parts that attract these animals. parts that attract these animals.

• Some flowers have patterns, called Some flowers have patterns, called nectar guides, that show nectar guides, that show pollinators where to look for nectar pollinators where to look for nectar

• Flowers also attract pollinators by Flowers also attract pollinators by scent and color. Still other flowers scent and color. Still other flowers use mimicry to attract pollinators. use mimicry to attract pollinators.

• Some species of orchids, for Some species of orchids, for example, produce flowers example, produce flowers resembling female bees in color, resembling female bees in color, shape, and scent. shape, and scent.

• Flowers are also specialized in Flowers are also specialized in shape and have an arrangement of shape and have an arrangement of the the stamensstamens that ensures that that ensures that pollen grains are transferred to the pollen grains are transferred to the bodies of the pollinator when it bodies of the pollinator when it lands in search of its attractant lands in search of its attractant (such as nectar, pollen, or a mate) (such as nectar, pollen, or a mate)

• AnemophilousAnemophilous flowers flowers use the wind use the wind to move pollen from one flower to to move pollen from one flower to the next, examples include the the next, examples include the grasses, Birch trees, Ragweed and grasses, Birch trees, Ragweed and Maples Maples

MorphologyMorphology

• Flowering plants are Flowering plants are heterosporangiateheterosporangiate, producing two , producing two types of reproductive types of reproductive sporesspores. .

• The The pollenpollen (male spores) and (male spores) and ovulesovules (female spores) are produced in (female spores) are produced in different different organsorgans, but the typical , but the typical flower is a flower is a bisporangiate strobilusbisporangiate strobilus in in that it contains both organs. that it contains both organs.

• A flower is regarded as a modified A flower is regarded as a modified stemstem with shortened internodes and with shortened internodes and bearing, at its bearing, at its nodesnodes, structures that , structures that may be highly modified may be highly modified leavesleaves..[1][1] In In essence, a flower structure forms on essence, a flower structure forms on a modified shoot or a modified shoot or axisaxis with an with an apical apical meristemmeristem that does not grow that does not grow continuously (growth is continuously (growth is determinatedeterminate). ).

• Flowers may be attached to the plant Flowers may be attached to the plant in a few ways. If the flower has no in a few ways. If the flower has no stem but forms in the axil of a leaf, it stem but forms in the axil of a leaf, it is called sessile. When one flower is is called sessile. When one flower is produced, the stem holding the produced, the stem holding the flower is called a flower is called a pedunclepeduncle. If the . If the peduncle ends with groups of peduncle ends with groups of flowers, each stem that holds a flowers, each stem that holds a flower is called a flower is called a pedicelpedicel. .

• The flowering stem forms a The flowering stem forms a terminal end which is called the terminal end which is called the torustorus or receptacle. or receptacle.

• The parts of a flower are arranged The parts of a flower are arranged in in whorlswhorls on the torus. on the torus.

• The four main parts or whorls The four main parts or whorls (starting from the base of the (starting from the base of the flower or lowest node and working flower or lowest node and working upwards) are as followupwards) are as follow

1. 1. CalyxCalyx: the outer whorl of : the outer whorl of sepalssepals; ; typically these are green, but are typically these are green, but are petal-like in some species. petal-like in some species.

2. 2. CorollaCorolla: the whorl of : the whorl of petalspetals, which , which are usually thin, soft and colored are usually thin, soft and colored to attract insects that help the to attract insects that help the process of process of pollinationpollination..

• AndroeciumAndroecium (from Greek (from Greek andros oikiaandros oikia: : man's house): one or two whorls of man's house): one or two whorls of stamensstamens, each a , each a filamentfilament topped by an topped by an anther where pollen is produced. Pollen anther where pollen is produced. Pollen contains the male gametes. contains the male gametes.

• GynoeciumGynoecium (from Greek (from Greek gynaikos oikiagynaikos oikia: : woman's house): one or more pistils. The woman's house): one or more pistils. The female reproductive organ is the carpel: female reproductive organ is the carpel: this contains an ovary with ovules (which this contains an ovary with ovules (which contain female gametes). contain female gametes).