Parts of a Flower

Parts of the Flower with their Description and Functions are as follows

Calyx (Sepals) 

• Usually there are five sepals. Sometimes they may be less or in a few cases even more. 
• When the flower opens, the sepals may fall off or persist. 
• Sepals are usually green but in some cases they are brightly coloured (called petaloid sepals). Example Gulmohar
• The sepals protect the young flower bud and when green they also perform photosynthesis.

Corolla (Petals)

• The petals are generally arranged in a single whorl but sometimes there may be a double whorl (e.g. Poppy) or they may be arranged spirally (e.g. Water lily).
• The colorful and fragrant petals attract insects for pollination. They also protect stamens and pistils especially when the petals form a tube.

Also Check – Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Stamens (Androecium)

• Stamens are the male parts of the flower. Each stamen consists of a filament and an Anther.
• The number of stamens in different flowers may vary from a few to a large number. 
• Each stamen consists of: a long filament and an anther attached to its extremity. 
• The Anther is usually two lobed. Each lobe has two pollen sacs. 
• Within the pollen sacs are contained pollen grains. 
• When fully matured, the pollen sacs rupture to liberate pollen grains. 
• The pollen grains are generally powdery particles of different shapes and sizes .

Pollen

Pollen is a powdery substance made in anthers.

Also Check- What is Pollination

Carpels (Gynoecium)

Gynoecium is also known as pistil. It is composed of one or more carpels. Each carpel consists of three parts-stigma, style and ovary.

Stigma

• The stigma has a sticky surface to capture pollen grains.
• Stigma is the terminal knob-like part, it may be divided into two or more lobes
• It has a feathery appearance. 
• The stigma is covered with hair or with glandular papillae. 
• It serves as the landing place for pollen during pollination.

Also Check – What is Fertilization

Style 

• Style is the tubular slender stalk which connects the stigma to the ovary.

Ovary

• The ovary contains ovules, which develop into seeds.
• Ovary is the swollen basal portion composed of one or many carpels fused together. 
• The inner cavity of the ovary may be a single chamber or divided into several chambers (locules) each containing a number of rounded bodies, the ovules. 
• Placenta attaches the ovules to the wall of the ovary.

Nectar

Many flowers produce nectar at the base of the petals. This sugary liquid attracts pollinators.