Floral Structure Flashcards
TYPES OF SYMMETRY
actinomorphic
zygomorphic
irregular
Actinomorphic
Symmetrical or regular
A flower that can be divided into two equal parts by a central vertical section through more than one plane
ZYGOMORPHIC
mono-symmetrical or bilaterally symmetrical
a flower that can be divided into two equal halves by a vertical section passing through one plane only
IRREGULAR
Asymmetrical
a flower that can not be divided into equal parts by any vertical section passing through the centre
COMPLETE FLOWER
Has all four whorls
INCOMPLETE FLOWER
Does not have all four whorls
e.g. unisexual flower
BISEXUAL FLOWER
Hermaprodite
has both androecium and gynocium whorls
UNISEXUAL FLOWER
a flower having either androecium (male) or gynocium (female)
CALYX
Sepals
COROLLA
Petals
ANDROCIUM
Male
Stamens
GYNOCIUM
Females
Carpels
CALYX Stuff
Sepaloid- the sepals are green/leaf like in appearance
Petaloid- one or more sepals are coloured/ petal like in appearance
Polysepalous- sepals free
Gameosepalous- sepals are fused
COROLLA Stuff
Polypetalous- petals free
Gameopetalous- petals are fused
(androecium) MONADELPHOUS
filaments are united but anthers are free
(androecium) DIDELPHOUS
When the filaments are united into two bundles but anthers are free
(androecium) POLYDELPHOUS
When the filaments are united into a number of bundles but the anthers are free
(androecium) syngenesious
when the anthers are united together but the filaments are free
(androecium) SYNANDROUS
When stamens are united throughout their whole length
(androecium) EPIPETALOUS
When stamens are attached to the petals by their filaments
(androecium) EPIPHYLLOUS
When the stamens are attached to the tepals by their filaments
(androecium) GYNANDROUS
When the stamens are attached to the carpels entirely or by their anthers only
(gynocium) SIMPLE
A gynocium made up of 1 carpel only
1 stigma 1 syle 1 ovary
(gynoecium) COMPOUND
A gynoecium made up of 2 or more carpels.
(gynoecium) APOCARPOUS
When carpels (2 or more) are free
(gynoecium) SYNCARPOUS
When carpels are united
(gynoecium) HYPOGYNOUS OVARY POS
a flower in which the ovary occupies the highest position on the thalamus, while the other floral members (stamens, petals and sepals) are arranged below the level of the ovary. Such an ovary is said to be superior, and the other floral members inferior
(gynoecium) PERIGYNOUS
a flower in which the margins of the ovary grow upwards to form a cup-shaped structure, with the stamens, petals and sepals arranged around this rim. Even though the ovary occupies the central part of the thalamus, the other floral members are usually elevated above the level of the ovary. Such an ovary is said to be half-inferior
(gynoecium) EPIGYNOUS
a flower in which the margins of the ovary grow further upwards completely enclosing the ovary with the other floral members arranged above the level of the ovary. Such an ovary is said to be inferior, and the other floral members superior
