Flower Biology: Floral Structures and Pollination Syndromes

Angiosperms

Flowering plants whose seeds are enclosed within a fruit

Four whorls of a flower

Sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels or pistils

Sepals

Protect the developing flower bud

Petals

Attract pollinators with color or fragrance

Stamens

Male reproductive organs consisting of a filament and an anther that produces pollen

Carpel or Pistil

Female reproductive organ consisting of the stigma, style, and ovary

Purpose of the flower

Aids in efficient pollination

Coevolution in pollination

The process where plants and their animal pollinators change together over time

Bee pollinated flowers

Usually blue, yellow, or pink, visible under UV light, with positively charged pollen

Butterfly pollinated flowers

Require a landing place for the organism to stand since they cannot hover

Moth pollinated flowers

Often white, cream, or yellow, open at night, emitting a sweet, penetrating odor after dark

Beetle and fly pollinated flowers

Mimic carrion or dung physically or aromatically

Bird pollinated flowers

Attracted to red and bright colors with no fragrance

Bat pollinated flowers

Light-colored, large, strong flowers producing copious nectar and fruits, sometimes utilizing sonar

Wind pollination

Favors same species growing together in large groups like temperate trees and grasses