Flower - Parts And Functions: Overview, Parts, Diagram, Functions

Knowing the parts of a flower and what the functions are is the key to understanding how plants reproduce and, therefore knowing the life cycle of flowering plants.

Overview Of Flower Structure

The flowers have some significant parts all of which have a particular task in the process of reproduction. The design of the flowers evolved to make the task of pollination easier.

Primary Parts Of A Flower

• Sepals: Those parts of a flower that are the outermost. They are typically green and help to protect the flower bud during development as well as provide support for the petals of the opened flower.

• Petals: These coloured parts often attract these pollen vectors by their colour and fragrance, and offer a surface for an insect or bird to land.

• Stamen: The male sex organs, consisting of :

• Anther: These produce the pollen grains, each of which contains one sperm cell.

• Filament: A stalk that holds the anther in place to distribute its pollen effectively.

• Pistils: The female reproductive organ, which comprises the following :

• Ovary: Contains the ovules; after fertilisation, they develop into seeds.

• Style: A long, thin stalk connecting the ovary to the stigma.

• Stigma: This sticky surface traps pollen during fertilisation.

Functions Of Flower Parts

1. Protection: Sepals protect the flower during development and ensure that protection is accorded to the more delicate parts of reproduction within.

2. Attraction: The petals attract pollinators that, in turn, transfer pollen from one plant to another.

3. Reproduction: Stamens and pistils produce seeds carrying on the species of the plant.

Conclusion

Some of the components and the whole anatomy of a flower set the basis for a flowering plant's reproductive success. Knowing the parts allows a deeper appreciation of plant biology and ecology.

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