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)
Define the term perfect
The flower has both the female (pistil) and male (stamen) structures
What is a simple pistil?
When there are no carpels (compartments) inside the ovary, there is only one ovule with a chamber inside called a locule
- the whole ovary
- the ovary wall
- the ovule
- the locule
What is a compound pistil?
When there are multiple carpels (compartments) in an ovary
What are the kinds of ovary positions we discuss in class? Define them
- Superior: the ovary sits completely on top of the receptacle
- Inferior: the ovary is partly or fully embedded in the receptacle
When is a flower staminate vs when is a flower pistillate?
A flower is STAMINATE when it only contains a stamen and is missing a pistil
A flower is PISTILLATE when it contains only a pistil and is missing a stamen
Both these are imperfect and incomplete
When is a flower staminate vs when is a flower pistillate? Are these flowers imperfect/perfect and complete/incomplete?
A flower is STAMINATE when it only contains a stamen and is missing a pistil
A flower is PISTILLATE when it contains only a pistil and is missing a stamen
Both these are imperfect and incomplete
When is a flower staminate vs when is a flower pistillate? Are these flowers imperfect/perfect and complete/incomplete?
A flower is STAMINATE when it only contains a stamen and is missing a pistil
A flower is PISTILLATE when it contains only a pistil and is missing a stamen
Both these are imperfect and incomplete
What can the number of carpels in an ovary tell you about the flower?
Whether it’s a dicot or a monocot
What is the collective term for all the layers of an ovary wall? What are the 3 layers?
pericarp
- ovary
- ovule
- locule
Define locule
a cavity within an ovary
Define ovule
the structure of seed plants that contains the female gametophyte and has the potential to become a seed
Define ovule
the structure of seed plants that contains the female gametophyte and has the potential to become a seed
Define monoecious species. Give an example. Are these incomplete/complete and imperfect/perfect flowers?
A single plant has both the individual pistillate and staminate flowers
ex. begonia
imperfect and incomplete
"mono" = one "ecious" = home
Define dioecious species
A species with two entire separate female and male plants. The male plants have only staminate flowers and the female plants have only pistillate flowers, so the two plants are needed to reproduce
ex. Holly
"di" = two "ecious" = home
What are the 4 main kinds of inflorescences?
- vertical flower cluster (indeterminate)
- tightly spaced florets
- rounded topped clusters
- cymes (determinant)
What are the 3 kinds of vertical flower cluster inflorescences?
- spike
- raceme
- panicle
What are the 3 kinds of tightly spaced floret inflorescences?
- catkin
- spadix
- spikelet
What are the 3 kinds of rounded topped clusters?
- corymb
- umbel
- head
What are the two kinds of cyme inflorescences?
- simple cyme
2. compound cyme
What are the 3 kinds of vertical flower cluster inflorescences? Define them and give an example of each
- SPIKE: order of bloom goes up the peduncle alternatively and the flowers bloom in sequence from bottom-up so that the most mature flowers will be at the bottom. There is no pedicel to attach the florets to the stalk. Very slender inflorescence
ex. Elephant heads - RACEME: Exact same order of bloom as spike, but there are pedicels to attach the florets to the peduncle, so it’s a wider inflorescence
ex. Fireweed - PANICLE: The same order of bloom, but there are stalks growing off the main peduncle and each branching stalk has individual florets
ex. False Solomon’s seal
What are the 3 kinds of tightly spaced floret inflorescences? Define them and give an example of each
- CATKIN: Clusters of either male or female very tightly packed florets, usually grown on trees
ex. willows, alders, birch - SPADIX: a tightly packed inflorescence in the centre and then one very large spathe surrounds it
ex. Peace Lily - SPIKELET: non-showy flower type (no petals) arranged in a panicle of spikelets
ex. wheat, grasses
What are the 3 kinds of vertical flower cluster inflorescences? Define them and give an example of each
- SPIKE: order of bloom goes up the peduncle alternatively and the flowers bloom in sequence from bottom-up so that the most mature flowers will be at the bottom. There is no pedicel to attach the florets to the stalk. Very slender inflorescence
ex. Elephant heads - RACEME: One central, vertical axis with florets that bloom from bottom to top and the florets have stem-like attachments (pedicels)
ex. Fireweed - PANICLE: The same order of bloom, but there are stalks growing off the main peduncle and each branching stalk has individual florets
ex. False Solomon’s seal
What are the 3 kinds of tightly spaced floret inflorescences? Define them and give an example of each
- CATKIN: Clusters of either male or female very tightly packed florets, usually grown on trees
ex. willows, alders, birch - SPADIX: a compressed upright central spike surrounded by a large, usually colourful bract that unfolds behind it
ex. Peace Lily - SPIKELET: non-showy flower type (no petals) arranged in a panicle of spikelets
ex. wheat, grasses
What are the 3 kinds of rounded topped clusters? Define them and give an example of each
- CORYMB: Order of bloom looks like it’s from the outside-in, but it’s actually from the bottom up. Blooms in sequence so that most mature flowers are on the outside/grown at the bottom
ex. tansy
2: UMBEL: all florets bloom at the same time forming a rounded cluster and they’re all attached by a pedicel to a single point on the peduncle. looks like an umbrella.
ex. fennel, geranium
- SIMPLE: there’s only florets attached to the pedicels
- COMPOUND: there’s multiple smaller umbels attached to the pedicels of the main umbel
- HEAD: central disc florets surrounded by ray florets typically with a large receptacle. Looks like sunshine.
- the disc florets are perfect, complete
- ray florets are imperfect, incomplete
ex. Sunflowers, coneflower
What are the two kinds of cyme inflorescences? Define them and give an example of each
the first flower to bloom and mature is at the top/centre of the flower and the others emerge underneath.
Central florets stop upward growth, branches from underneath form new florets
- SIMPLE CYME: first one to bloom is at the top of the flower and the second layer will bloom after (second layer will bloom all at once)
ex. roses - COMPOUND CYME: variation of the same, the first flower to bloom is in the centre, then branches will grow out from under the first bloom and there will be continuous arrangements of cymes blooming
ex. baby’s breath
Define spathe
a large leaf-like structure that is thought to attract pollinators and surrounds the inflorescence of Spadix flowers
Define spathe
a large leaf-like structure/bract that is thought to attract pollinators and surrounds the inflorescence of Spadix flowers
What is an inflorescence that is small, often pendulous (hangs down), and contains many tightly packed, tiny, non-showy florets called?
catkin
What family are catkins usually found in?
Betulaceae family (birch trees) and other tree families
T or F: catkin florets are usually imperfect and can be found on either monoecious or dioecious plants?
TRUE
A corn plant has “ears” of corn (female flowers that produce the kernels) and tassles which contain male flowers at the top of the plant. Are corns monoecious or dioecious?
Monoecious because both female and male flowers are found on the same plant
A corn plant has “ears” of corn (female flowers that produce the kernels) and tassles which contain male flowers at the top of the plant. Are corns monoecious or dioecious?
Monoecious because both female and male flowers are found on the same plant
Which term is used to describe flower parts that are fused together?
united
Name the stalk that holds up an individual floret inside a flower cluster or inflorescence
pedicel
What is the difference between a peduncle and a pedicel?
Peduncle is the stalk of the entire inflorescence or a single flower, whereas the pedicel is the stalk of a floret within an inflorescence that attaches it to the the entire inflorescence
