Flower Structures and Pollination

Definition of Flower Types:
- Male Flower: Lacks gynoecium (female parts).
- Female Flower: Lacks androecium (male parts).
- Sterile/Neutral Flower: Contains neither male nor female parts.

Definition: Plants that bear separate male and female flowers on the same individual.
Meaning of Monoecious: The term means "one house," indicating the presence of both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Examples:
- Corn (Zea mays): Male flowers (tassels) produce pollen at the top of the plant, while female flowers (silks) are located lower down.
- Melons, Pumpkins, and Zucchinis: Require manual pollination; male flower pollen must fertilize female flowers, which can be a learning process for new growers.
Fertility Process:
- Male flowers release pollen, which needs to reach the elongated stigma of the female flowers to result in fertilization.

Male Flower:
- Located at the top of the plant (tassels).
- Produces pollen without any female parts.
Female Flower:
- Known as silk, located lower down on the plant.
- Features:
- Elongated style (green part)
- Sticky stigma (pink part) to catch pollen.
- Result: The fertilized ovary develops into kernels of corn.

Definition: Species where male and female flowers are found on separate plants.
Meaning of Dioecious: The term means "two houses," indicating that male and female reproductive parts are on different individuals.
Examples:
- Papaya: Male and female flowers occur on different plants, with the former pollinating the latter.
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and Willows (Salix spp.): Require proximity of male and female plants for fertilization.

Male Flower:
- Found in clusters and contains yellow anthers; lacks female reproductive parts.
- Emits a pleasant scent to attract pollinators.
Female Flower:
- Different shape with a prominent ovary and style.
- Characterized by a curly stigma to facilitate pollen capture from visiting insects.