Floral Formula: Floral: Diagram, Formula, Characters, Parts of Flower

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 07:26 PM IST

What Is Floral Formula?

The floral formula expresses a flower structure symbolically and, therefore, gives a brief expression for its various components. This is a vital tool for botanists or horticulturists in classifying and studying flowering plants.

Definition Of Floral Formula

A floral formula is a means of expressing the structure of a flower using specific symbols for the various parts of a flower, their number, and their arrangement. This type of formula enables the identification and comparison of various flowers.

Floral Formula Components

Symbols of Parts of Flower:

K: No. of sepals

C: No. of petals

A: No. of stamens

G: No. of pistils.

Numerical Expression: The number of each part is expressed by the numbers following the concerned symbol. For example, if a flower has 5 sepals, 5 petals, 10 stamens, and 2 pistils, then it will be expressed as:

K5C5A10G2

Significance Of Floral Formula

Classification: Helps in identifying and classifying plants based on their floral anatomy.
Study Aid: Serves as a ready reference to learn the structure of the flower and facilitates botanists to communicate more conveniently and easily.

Example Of Floral Formula

For a flower like a hibiscus, which contains

5 sepals

5 petals

Many stamens(counted as one)

1 pistil

The floral formula may be expressed as:

K5C5A∞G1

Conclusion

The floral formula is a very useful device in botany. It helps in studying and grouping flowering plants. Its application enriches our understanding of the variability in plants and their reproductive strategy.

Recommended video on Floral Formula

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a floral formula?

It is the symbolic expression of the structure of a flower.

2. What is a floral formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of the structure of a flower using letters, numbers, and symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts, including sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels.

3. What are the symbols in a floral formula?

They are the different parts of the structure: sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils.

4. How is the number of parts of flowers indicated?

By the number behind the particular symbols

5. What is the floral formula significant for?

It helps in classifying plants and studying them. It provides the scientist with quick information about the plant at hand.

6. Can a floral formula be different from one species to another?

Yes, it differs from one species to another due to differences in structure and reproductive strategy.

7. What does the presence of a bracket [ ] in a floral formula signify?

Brackets [ ] in a floral formula are used to group together parts that are fused. For example, [C(5)A5] indicates that the corolla and androecium are fused together.

8. What does the symbol ♂ mean in a floral formula?

The symbol ♂ in a floral formula indicates that the flower is staminate or male, containing only male reproductive parts.

9. How is an epigynous flower represented in a floral formula?

An epigynous flower, where the ovary is inferior, is represented by Ḡ in the floral formula, with the line above the G.

10. What does the symbol ♀ mean in a floral formula?

The symbol ♀ in a floral formula indicates that the flower is pistillate or female, containing only female reproductive parts.

11. How are fused parts represented in a floral formula?

Fused parts are represented by enclosing the number in parentheses. For example, K(5) indicates that there are 5 sepals that are fused together.

12. How are stamens represented in a floral formula?

Stamens are represented by the letter A (for androecium) in a floral formula. The number following A indicates the number of stamens present.

13. How does a floral diagram differ from a floral formula?

A floral diagram is a graphical representation of a flower's structure, showing the arrangement of floral parts in cross-section. In contrast, a floral formula uses symbols and numbers to represent the same information. While the diagram provides a visual representation, the formula offers a more compact, text-based description.

14. What does actinomorphic symmetry mean in the context of flowers?

Actinomorphic symmetry, also known as radial symmetry, means that the flower can be divided into two equal halves through multiple planes. In a floral formula, this is represented by the symbol ⚥ or *.

15. How is zygomorphic symmetry indicated in a floral formula?

Zygomorphic symmetry, or bilateral symmetry, is indicated by the symbol ↑ in a floral formula. This means the flower can only be divided into two equal halves through one vertical plane.

16. What does K represent in a floral formula?

In a floral formula, K represents the calyx, which is the collective term for all the sepals in a flower. The number following K indicates the number of sepals present.

17. What does C represent in a floral formula?

In a floral formula, C represents the corolla, which is the collective term for all the petals in a flower. The number following C indicates the number of petals present.

18. What does G represent in a floral formula?

G represents the gynoecium, which refers to the female reproductive parts of the flower, specifically the carpels. The number following G indicates the number of carpels present.

19. How is the position of the ovary indicated in a floral formula?

The position of the ovary is indicated by the position of a line relative to G in the floral formula. A line above G (Ḡ) indicates an inferior ovary, while a line below G (G̲) indicates a superior ovary. No line means the ovary is semi-inferior.

20. What does ∞ mean when used in a floral formula?

The symbol ∞ in a floral formula means "many" or "numerous." It's often used when there are more than 12 of a particular floral part, such as stamens or petals.

21. How are whorls represented in a floral formula?

Whorls are represented by the order in which the floral parts are written in the formula, typically following the sequence: K (calyx), C (corolla), A (androecium), and G (gynoecium).

22. What does it mean when numbers in a floral formula are separated by a plus sign (+)?

A plus sign (+) between numbers in a floral formula indicates that the parts are in separate whorls. For example, A3+3 means there are two whorls of stamens, each containing 3 stamens.

23. How are absent floral parts indicated in a floral formula?

Absent floral parts are typically represented by a zero (0) in the floral formula. For example, C0 would indicate that the flower lacks petals.

24. What does the superscript ° mean in a floral formula?

The superscript ° in a floral formula indicates that the floral part is highly reduced or rudimentary. For example, A°3 would mean there are 3 rudimentary stamens.

25. How are different types of floral parts represented when they occur in the same whorl?

When different types of floral parts occur in the same whorl, they are separated by commas within the same bracket. For example, A3,3 indicates two types of stamens in the same whorl.

26. How is a hypogynous flower represented in a floral formula?

A hypogynous flower, where the ovary is superior, is represented by G̲ in the floral formula, with the line below the G.

27. How are different numbers of floral parts in different whorls represented?

Different numbers of floral parts in different whorls are simply represented by their respective numbers. For example, K5C4A8G2 indicates 5 sepals, 4 petals, 8 stamens, and 2 carpels.

28. What does it mean when a number is enclosed in square brackets [ ] in a floral formula?

A number enclosed in square brackets [ ] in a floral formula indicates that the floral parts are in groups or bundles. For example, A[9]+1 could represent 9 stamens fused into a bundle and 1 free stamen.

29. How is a complete flower represented in a floral formula?

A complete flower, containing all four basic parts (sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels), is represented by including all four symbols K, C, A, and G in the floral formula, each followed by a number or symbol indicating quantity.

30. What does % mean when used in a floral formula?

The symbol % in a floral formula indicates that the flower is asymmetric, meaning it cannot be divided into equal halves through any vertical plane.

31. How are spiral arrangements of floral parts indicated in a floral formula?

Spiral arrangements are typically indicated by the symbol ∫ before the letter representing the floral part. For example, ∫K would indicate spirally arranged sepals.

32. What does the presence of a tilde (~) mean in a floral formula?

A tilde (~) in a floral formula indicates that the number of parts is variable or approximate. For example, A~20 would mean there are approximately 20 stamens.

33. How are different types of stamens represented in a floral formula?

Different types of stamens can be represented by using different subscripts or by separating them with commas. For example, A5+5 could represent two whorls of 5 stamens each, potentially of different lengths or types.

34. What does G(3) mean in a floral formula?

G(3) in a floral formula indicates that there are 3 carpels that are fused together to form a single pistil. The parentheses indicate fusion.

35. How is a monoecious plant represented in floral formulas?

For a monoecious plant, separate floral formulas are given for the male and female flowers, usually indicated by the symbols ♂ and ♀ respectively.

36. What does the symbol ⚤ mean in a floral formula?

The symbol ⚤ in a floral formula indicates that the flower is bisexual or hermaphrodite, containing both male and female reproductive parts.

37. How are staminodes represented in a floral formula?

Staminodes, which are sterile stamens, are often represented by A° or sometimes by a separate symbol like St followed by a number.

38. What does K5+5 mean in a floral formula?

K5+5 in a floral formula indicates that there are two whorls of sepals, each containing 5 sepals. The plus sign separates the two whorls.

39. How is the number of locules in an ovary represented in a floral formula?

The number of locules is typically not directly represented in a basic floral formula. However, it's often correlated with the number following G, as the number of carpels often corresponds to the number of locules.

40. What does C(5) A5 G(2) mean in a floral formula?

This part of a floral formula indicates 5 fused petals (corolla), 5 free stamens (androecium), and 2 fused carpels (gynoecium).

41. How are nectaries represented in a floral formula?

Nectaries are not typically represented in standard floral formulas. However, when included, they might be denoted by 'N' followed by a number or description of their position.

42. What does 'Br' mean when it appears before a floral formula?

Br' stands for bract, indicating the presence of a modified leaf associated with the flower. It's not part of the flower itself but is sometimes included to give a complete picture of the floral structure.

43. How is a superior ovary different from an inferior ovary in terms of floral formula representation?

A superior ovary is represented by G̲ (line below G) in a floral formula, while an inferior ovary is represented by Ḡ (line above G). This reflects the position of the ovary relative to other floral parts.

44. What does K(5) C(5) A5+5 G(3) represent in a floral formula?

This formula represents a flower with 5 fused sepals, 5 fused petals, two whorls of 5 stamens each, and 3 fused carpels.

45. How are different lengths of stamens represented in a floral formula?

Different lengths of stamens can be represented by separating them with a plus sign. For example, A4+2 could represent 4 long stamens and 2 short stamens, as seen in tetradynamous stamens.

46. What does the term 'pentamerous' mean in relation to floral formulas?

Pentamerous' means that the floral parts are in fives or multiples of five. In a floral formula, this would typically be represented by the number 5 (or multiples of 5) after K, C, A, and sometimes G.

47. How is a perigynous flower represented in a floral formula?

A perigynous flower, where the ovary is neither clearly superior nor inferior, is typically represented by G in the floral formula without any line above or below it.

48. What does K2+2 C4 A6 G(2) represent in a floral formula?

This formula represents a flower with two whorls of 2 sepals each, 4 petals, 6 stamens, and 2 fused carpels. This is typical of flowers in the Brassicaceae family.

49. How are sterile flowers represented in a floral formula?

Sterile flowers, which lack reproductive parts, are typically not given a full floral formula. However, they might be represented by only showing the parts present, such as K C, with A and G omitted or shown as A0 G0.

50. What does the presence of 'P' instead of 'K' and 'C' in a floral formula indicate?

The use of 'P' (for perianth) instead of separate 'K' and 'C' indicates that the sepals and petals are not differentiated and are collectively called tepals.

51. How is the placentation type represented in a floral formula?

Placentation type is not typically included in a standard floral formula. However, when necessary, it might be indicated by a subscript after G, such as Gaxile for axile placentation.

52. What does K5 C5 A(9)+1 G1 represent in a floral formula?

This formula represents a flower with 5 sepals, 5 petals, 9 fused stamens plus 1 free stamen, and 1 carpel. This is typical of many flowers in the Fabaceae (legume) family.

53. How are double flowers represented in a floral formula?

Double flowers, where stamens have been converted to petals, are not typically represented in standard floral formulas. However, they might be indicated by an increased number after C and a decreased number after A.

54. What does the symbol '±' mean when used in a floral formula?

The symbol '±' in a floral formula means "more or less" or "approximately." It's used when the number of a particular floral part can vary slightly.

55. How is a trimerous flower represented in a floral formula?

A trimerous flower, where floral parts are in threes or multiples of three, would typically be represented by the number 3 (or multiples of 3) after K, C, A, and sometimes G in the floral formula.