Flower Anatomy and Function

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary terms related to flower anatomy, function, and processes essential for reproduction in flowering plants.

Flower Anatomy

The various structures and their functions within flowers, which are the reproductive parts of plants.

Stamen

The male reproductive structure of a flower, consisting of anther and filament.

Anther

The part of the stamen that contains pollen, which carries male genetic material.

Filament

A stalk that supports the anther, attaching it to the receptacle of the flower.

Pistil

The female reproductive structure of a flower, consisting of stigma, style, and ovary.

Stigma

The sticky surface of the pistil where pollen grains attach.

Style

The structure that connects the stigma to the ovary and serves as a pathway for the pollen tube.

Ovary

The part of the pistil that contains ovules and develops into fruit after fertilization.

Sepals

Protective structures that encase and protect the developing flower bud before it opens.

Complete Flower

A flower that possesses all four main parts: sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil.

Perfect Flower

A flower that contains both stamens and pistil, allowing for potential reproduction.

Imperfect Flower

A flower that has either stamens or pistil, but not both.

Double Fertilization

A unique process occurring in angiosperms involving two fertilization events: one forming a zygote and the other forming endosperm.

Microgametophyte

The male gametophyte in flowering plants, which develops within the anther and produces sperm or pollen. (stamen)

Megagametophyte

The female gametophyte in flowering plants, which develops from the ovule and produces eggs. (Pistil)

Pollination

The process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part, leading to fertilization.

Fruiting

The process by which the ovary of a flower develops into fruit containing seeds after fertilization.

Simple Fruits

develop from a single mature ovary within a single flower

Compound Fruit

Include both aggregate and composite fruits

Aggregate Fruit

Develop from multiple pistils (each containing one or more ovaries) within a single flower.

Composite Fruits

Develop from multiple flowers in a single inflorescence. This means the fruit is formed from the fused ovaries of many flowers clustered together

Fleshy Fruits

Characterized by a soft, fleshy pericarp at maturity

Dry Fruits

Characterized by a dry, non-fleshy pericarp at maturity. Examples include nuts, grains, and legumes

Simple Fleshy Fruits

Characterized by a fleshy pericarp (fruit wall)

Simple Dry Fruits

Characterized by a dry pericarp

Dehiscent Dry Fruits

Fruits that open to release seeds

Indehiscent Dry Fruits

Seeds stay intact throughout their span as a seed; fruits that do not open to release seeds