The document provides a detailed overview of flower structure and functions, defining key components such as gametes, floral whorls, and distinctions between essential and non-essential parts. It explains the roles of the calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium, emphasizing their contributions to reproduction and pollination. The document also covers variations in flower anatomy and classification, including complete and incomplete flowers, as well as types of inflorescence.

1. FLOWER STRUCTURE: EASY DRAWING
AND FUNCTION OF FLOWER
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FLOWER STRUCTURE
DEFINITION OF GAMETES :- Flowers are the reproductive parts of plants,which are responsible for the
production of gametes or sex cells.
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.
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,firs, redwoods, etc. which do not have flowers and they are called gymnosperms or
naked-seeded 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.
Fig#2 bracts bearing flower in Bougainvillea

2. 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)
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.
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.
* 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.
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.

3. 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
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 :-
* 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

4. Fig#5 diagram of stamen or androecium
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.
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.
(FLOWER— THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS)
STAMENS FUSED OR FREE:-

5. 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

6. Syngenesious: In some other cases as in sun-flower,the filaments are free but the anthers are united.
(FLOWER— THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS)
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.

7. Fig#11 diagram of epigynous flower
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.
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)

8. Fig#13 diagram of racemose and cymose inflorescence
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.