2. Introduction
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom orA flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossomblossom, is the, is the
reproductivereproductive structure found instructure found in flowering plantsflowering plants (plants of the division(plants of the division
MagnoliophytaMagnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). The biological function of a, also called angiosperms). The biological function of a
flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for theflower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the
union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion ofunion of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion of
sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfingsperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) or allow selfing
(fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce(fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower). Some flowers produce
diasporesdiaspores without fertilization (without fertilization (parthenocarpyparthenocarpy). Flowers contain sporangia). Flowers contain sporangia
and are the site where gametophytes develop. Flowers give rise to fruit andand are the site where gametophytes develop. Flowers give rise to fruit and
seeds. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as toseeds. Many flowers have evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to
cause them to be vectors for the transfer of pollen.cause them to be vectors for the transfer of pollen.
In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants,In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants,
flowers have long been admired and used by humans to beautify theirflowers have long been admired and used by humans to beautify their
environment, but also as objects of romance, ritual, religion, medicine andenvironment, but also as objects of romance, ritual, religion, medicine and
as a source of food.as a source of food.
3. Lotus
Nelumbo nuciferaNelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including, known by a number of names including IndianIndian
LotusLotus,, Sacred LotusSacred Lotus,, Bean of IndiaBean of India, or simply, or simply LotusLotus, is a plant in the, is a plant in the
monogenericmonogeneric familyfamily NelumbonaceaeNelumbonaceae. The Linnaean binomial Nelumbo. The Linnaean binomial Nelumbo
nucifera (nucifera (Gaertn.Gaertn.) is the currently recognized name for this species, which has) is the currently recognized name for this species, which has
been classified under thebeen classified under the former namesformer names, Nelumbium speciosum (, Nelumbium speciosum (Willd.Willd.) and) and
NymphaeaNymphaea nelumbo, among others. Names other than Nelumbo nucifera (nelumbo, among others. Names other than Nelumbo nucifera (
Gaertn.Gaertn.) are obsolete synonyms and should not be used in current works. This) are obsolete synonyms and should not be used in current works. This
plant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds mayplant is an aquatic perennial. Under favorable circumstances its seeds may
remain viable for many years.remain viable for many years.
A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a waterlily (A common misconception is referring to the lotus as a waterlily (
NymphaeaNymphaea), an entirely different plant as can be seen from the center of the), an entirely different plant as can be seen from the center of the
flower, which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to form the distinctiveflower, which clearly lacks the structure that goes on to form the distinctive
circular seed pod in the Nelumbo nucifera.circular seed pod in the Nelumbo nucifera.
Waterlilies come in various colors, whereas the lotus has flowersWaterlilies come in various colors, whereas the lotus has flowers
ranging in hues of white to hot pink.ranging in hues of white to hot pink.
4. Rose
AA roserose is a woodyis a woody perennialperennial of theof the genusgenus Rosa, within the familyRosa, within the family
RosaceaeRosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs,. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs,
and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharpand climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp
pricklesprickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white
through yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smallerthrough yellows and reds. Most species are native to Asia, with smaller
numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Species,numbers native to Europe, North America, and northwest Africa. Species,
cultivarscultivars andand hybridshybrids are all widely grown for their beauty and fragrance.are all widely grown for their beauty and fragrance.
Rose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers thatRose plants range in size from compact, miniature roses, to climbers that
can reach 7 meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this hascan reach 7 meters in height. Different species hybridize easily, and this has
been used in the development of the wide range ofbeen used in the development of the wide range of garden rosesgarden roses..[1][1]
The name rose comes from French, itself from Latin rosa, whichThe name rose comes from French, itself from Latin rosa, which
was perhaps borrowed fromwas perhaps borrowed from OscanOscan, from, from GreekGreek, related to, related to Old PersianOld Persian
wrd-,wrd-, AvestanAvestan var da,əvar da,ə SogdianSogdian ward,ward, ParthianParthian wâr,wâr, ArmenianArmenian vard.vard.[2][3][2][3]
5. Sunflower
SunflowerSunflower (Helianthus annuus) is an(Helianthus annuus) is an annual plantannual plant native to thenative to the
AmericasAmericas that possesses a largethat possesses a large inflorescenceinflorescence (flowering head). The(flowering head). The
sunflower got its name from its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape andsunflower got its name from its huge, fiery blooms, whose shape and
image is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairyimage is often used to depict the sun. The sunflower has a rough, hairy
stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers.stem, broad, coarsely toothed, rough leaves and circular heads of flowers.
The heads consist of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers joined together by aThe heads consist of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers joined together by a
receptacle base.receptacle base.
From the Americas, sunflower seeds were brought to Europe in the 16thFrom the Americas, sunflower seeds were brought to Europe in the 16th
century, where, along withcentury, where, along with sunflower oilsunflower oil, they became a widespread, they became a widespread
cooking ingredient. Sunflower leaves can be used as cattle feed, while thecooking ingredient. Sunflower leaves can be used as cattle feed, while the
stems contain a fibre which may be used in paper production.stems contain a fibre which may be used in paper production.
6. Conclusion
Plants cannot move from one location to another, thus many flowers havePlants cannot move from one location to another, thus many flowers have
evolved to attract animals to transfer pollen between individuals in dispersedevolved to attract animals to transfer pollen between individuals in dispersed
populations.populations. BirdsBirds andand beesbees have color vision, enabling them to seek outhave color vision, enabling them to seek out
"colorful" flowers. Some flowers have patterns, called"colorful" flowers. Some flowers have patterns, called nectar guidesnectar guides, that show, that show
pollinators where to look for nectar; they may be visible only underpollinators where to look for nectar; they may be visible only under ultravioletultraviolet
light, which is visible to bees and some other insects. Flowers also attractlight, which is visible to bees and some other insects. Flowers also attract
pollinators bypollinators by scentscent and some of those scents are pleasant to our sense of smell.and some of those scents are pleasant to our sense of smell.
Not all flower scents are appealing to humans, a number of flowers areNot all flower scents are appealing to humans, a number of flowers are
pollinated by insects that are attracted to rotten flesh and have flowers thatpollinated by insects that are attracted to rotten flesh and have flowers that
smell like dead animals. Flowers pollinated by night visitors, including bats andsmell like dead animals. Flowers pollinated by night visitors, including bats and
moths, are likely to concentrate on scent to attract pollinators and most suchmoths, are likely to concentrate on scent to attract pollinators and most such
flowers are white.flowers are white.
- Presented by
Saikat Rakshit.
7. Conclusion
Plants cannot move from one location to another, thus many flowers havePlants cannot move from one location to another, thus many flowers have
evolved to attract animals to transfer pollen between individuals in dispersedevolved to attract animals to transfer pollen between individuals in dispersed
populations.populations. BirdsBirds andand beesbees have color vision, enabling them to seek outhave color vision, enabling them to seek out
"colorful" flowers. Some flowers have patterns, called"colorful" flowers. Some flowers have patterns, called nectar guidesnectar guides, that show, that show
pollinators where to look for nectar; they may be visible only underpollinators where to look for nectar; they may be visible only under ultravioletultraviolet
light, which is visible to bees and some other insects. Flowers also attractlight, which is visible to bees and some other insects. Flowers also attract
pollinators bypollinators by scentscent and some of those scents are pleasant to our sense of smell.and some of those scents are pleasant to our sense of smell.
Not all flower scents are appealing to humans, a number of flowers areNot all flower scents are appealing to humans, a number of flowers are
pollinated by insects that are attracted to rotten flesh and have flowers thatpollinated by insects that are attracted to rotten flesh and have flowers that
smell like dead animals. Flowers pollinated by night visitors, including bats andsmell like dead animals. Flowers pollinated by night visitors, including bats and
moths, are likely to concentrate on scent to attract pollinators and most suchmoths, are likely to concentrate on scent to attract pollinators and most such
flowers are white.flowers are white.
- Presented by
Saikat Rakshit.
