2: Flower Parts & Inflorescence Types Flashcards
Define pedicel
the stalk of an individual flower (that leads up to the receptacle) or the branches of smaller stalks of a flower
Define peduncle
the main stalk supporting an inflorescence
Define receptacle
The expanded tip of the peduncle or pedicel to which the various parts of a flower are attached (like the sepals). Usually the ovary sits above it or within it.
Define sepal. What is its function?
A flower part that is a unit of the calyx that usually resembles a reduced leaf.
Generally functions as a protection for the unopened flower bud
What are the main differences between monocots and dicots? What kind of plants are found in each?
Monocots:
- seed with one cotyledon (seed leaf)
- flower parts in 3s or multiples of 3s
- Parallel venation of leaves
- grasses and bulbs, some do flower (like Lilies, etc)
- only herbaceous growth is produced
Dicots:
- seed with 2 cotyledons (seed leaves)
- flower parts in 4s or 5s or multiples of 4s or 5s
- netted venation of leaves
- most true flowering plants
- can have herbaceous or woody growth
Define petal
a flower part that is usually flattened and coloured. It is a unit of a corolla and is on the outside of the flower
What is the collective term for all the petals?
Corolla
What is the collective term for both the petals and the sepals?
Perianth
Define stamen. What are the two parts it consists of?
the pollen producing structure of a flower. It consists of:
- Anther
- Filament
Define the two parts of the stamen
- Anther: the structure at the tip of the filament where pollen is produced
- Filament: the flexible, fragile structure that attaches the anther to the flower
Define pistil. What are the three parts that make it up?
the female reproductive structure of a flower composed of one or more carpels.
- stigma
- style
- ovary
Define the three parts of a pistil
- Stigma: the area of the flower that receives pollen
- Style: the structure that connects the stigma and the ovary
- Ovary:
Define the three parts of a pistil
- Stigma: the structure at the top of the style that receives pollen
- Style: the long, slender stalk that connects the stigma and the ovary
- Ovary: the structure that holds seeds
Define inflorescence
a collective term for a group of flowers attached to a common axis in a specific arrangement
Define carpel
compartments within an ovary that hold ovules
Define locule
The chamber inside a carpel where the ovule is held
What can the branches or lobes on a stigma tell you about a flower?
the number of branches/lobes = the number of carpels that are in the ovary, so without cutting the flower open, we can tell if the flower has a simple or compound ovary and how many ovules it has
T or F: if a stigma has 5 branches it will have 5 carpels inside the ovary and therefore be a dicot?
TRUE. the number of branches/lobes on a stigma reveals the number of carpels in the ovary. Flower parts in 4s or 5s = dicot
What are the kinds of ovary positions we discuss in class? Define them
- Superior:
2. Inferior:
What are the 3 kinds of flower arrangements?
- Perfect & Complete
- Perfect & Incomplete
- Imperfect & Incomplete
T or F: if a flower is imperfect, it can still be complete. Why or why not?
FALSE. If a flower is imperfect, it means it is missing a stamen or pistil which means it is missing one of the 4 main whorls so therefore it cannot be complete.
What are the four main whorls?
- pistil
- stamen
- calyx (sepals)
- corolla (petals)