• Chapter 2 :The Flower(Lecture Notes)

The most attractive part of a plant is the flower. It contains floral leaves and is meant for
reproduction.

Flower consists of a compressed axis on which the floral members are arranged. This axis is
called the thalamus. Flowers may also bear a stalk (Pedicel). Flowers with pedicel are called
pedicellate flowers e.g. China rose. Flowers without stalk or pedicel are called sessile flowers
e.g. Tuberose. Flowers may be borne singly (China rose) or in a cluster on an axis. (Tuberose).A
cluster of flowers on an axis is called an inflorescence.

*DIFFERENT PARTS OF A COMPLETE FLOWER*

The four sets of floral whorls are – (i) *Calyx* (ii) *Corolla* (iii) *Androecium* (iv) *Gynoecium*.

Calyx and corolla are called the *accessory whorls* as they do not take part in reproduction,
help the process.

Androecium and Gynoecium are called the *essential whorls* as they directly take part in
reproduction.
*CALYX :*
It is the outermost whorl of a flower. The individual members of calyx are green leaf like
structures called sepals. Sepals may be free from each other (as in mustard) or may be united
together (as in chinarose). When the sepals are free, it is called *polysepalous calyx*; and when
the sepals are united, it is called *gamosepalous calyx*. Calyx may be regular or irregular. When
the sepals are similar in appearance, the calyx is regular (*Chinarose*). When the sepals are
dissimilar in appearance, the calyx is called *irregular calyx* (*Leucas*). Sometimes sepals are
brightly coloured as petals; they are called *petaloid sepals* e.g. *Caesalpinia*.In Chinarose,
there is an additional whorl outside calyx called epicalyx.

*Functions :*
- Calyx protects the delicate parts of a flower from heat, cold, rain.

- When green in colour possessing chlorophyll they can prepare food.

- When bright coloured, they attract insects for pollination.

- It also protects the inner delicate parts of a flower from external injury during bud stage.

*COROLLA :*
The individual members are brightly coloured leafy members called petals, forming the second
inner whorl of the flower. They are mostly scented. Each petal has two distinct parts - the
expanded broad upper portion called limb and the narrow base called claw. Sometimes, petals
are green in colour like sepals. They are called sepaloid petals e.g. Custard apple. Corolla may be
regular or irregular. When the petals are similar in their size, structure, the corolla is said to be
regular (Gourd), when the petals are dissimilar, the corolla is called irregular (pea). Petals may
be free from each other (as in mustard) or may be united together (as in Gourd). When the
petals are free, the corolla is said to be polypetalous; and when the petals are united, it is called
gamopetalous corolla.

*Functions :*
- Protects the inner delicate parts in bud stage from heat, cold, rain, external injury etc.

- Being brightly coloured, it attracts insects and help in pollination.

- Petals of flower often store nectar glands at its base.

In some flowers like tuberose, lily, calyx and corolla cannot be distinguished separately, instead,
a single accessory whorl called perianth is present. Individual members of the perianth are
called tepal. Tepals may be free (Gloriosa) or may be united (Tuberose). In some flowers as in
glory lily (Gloriosa) the perianth is colourful.

*ANDROECIUM :*
It is a major essential male reproductive whorl of a flower, whole individual members are known
as stamens. The number of stamens vary from one to many. They may remain free or may be
united together or attached to other whorls. Each stamen possess a stalk called filament and a
sac like structure called anther at the tip of the stalk. Anther possess anther lobes. Each anther
lobe bears pollen sacs containing mass of grains called pollen grains which are light and
powdery in nature.

Stamens may be one or many in number. In China rose, stamens are many in number united by
filaments to form a hollow tube like structure called the staminal column and the anthers are
free. This type of stamen is called monadelphous stamen. In pea flower, there are ten stamens,
of which nine stamens are united to form a single bundle and one remains free. This is called
diadelphous stamen. The union of stamens may take place with other floral members, the
stamens may also unite amongst themselves. In Datura, the stamens are united with the petals.
This is called epipetalous stamen. The stamens may remain attached to the perianth lobes. This
is called epiphyllous stamen e.g. Tube rose.

*Functions* :
Stamens are the male reproductive organs of the plants, producing male gametes, which takes
part in reproduction.

*GYNOECIUM*
It is the innermost female reproductive whorl of a flower whose members are called carpels.
Each carpel contains a swollen basal portion called ovary and a slender tube like style ending in
sticky stigma. Ovary is the basal swollen part of the carpel containing ovules.

Style is the short or long stalk like portion of the carpel and the terminal knob like structure of
the style which acts like pollen receiving organ is called the [Link] may be one (as in
pea) or many (as in China rose). They may be free or united. When the carpels are free from
each other, the condition is called apocarpous. When the carpels are united, it is called
syncarpous.

*Function :*
It is the female reproductive part of the flower that takes part in reproduction. Stigma serves as
the receptive spot for pollen grains. After fertilization, the ovary transforms into fruit and the
ovule transforms into seed.
*Bract :*
Bracts are special leafy outgrowths at whose axils flowers are borne. Flowers with bract are
called bracteate flowers (Bougainvillea) and flowers without bract are called ebracteate flowers
(Gourd).

*Types of flowers :*

(i) *Complete flower :* A flower with all the four floral whorls is called a complete flower
e.g. China rose, mustard.

(ii) *Incomplete flower :* A flower is incomplete, when any one of the four whorl is absent
e.g. Gourd, Tuberose.
(iii) *Bisexual flower :* A bisexual flower is that which contains both the male and female
reproductive whorls (i.e. androecium and gynoecium) e.g. Mustard, Chinarose.

(iv) *Unisexual flower* : A flower is unisexual, when either of the male or the female
reproductive whorl is absent e.g. Staminate and pistillate flowers of gourd.

*Staminate flower* : A flower with only stamen and no carpel is called staminate flower.

*Pistillate flower* : A flower with only carpel and no stamen is called pistillate flower.

(v) *Naked flower * : A flower is said to be naked because neither calyx nor corolla is present
e.g. Arum.

(vi) *Neuter flower (Sterile flower)* : A flower is said to be neuter, when it is devoid of both
male (androecium) and female (gynoecium) whorls e.g. Ray florets of sunflower.
(vii) *Regular flower * : A flower is said to be regular when all the floral members of the
respective whorls have equal size and shape e.g. Hibiscus (Chinarose).

(viii) *Irregular flower * : A flower is said to be irregular when the floral members vary in their
size and shape e.g. Pea, Aparajita.

*Monoecious and Dioecious plants*

When both the male and female flowers are borne on different individual plants, the plant is
called dioecious e.g. Papaya.

*POLLINATION*

The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same or different
flower of the same species is called pollination.

*Types of Pollination*

There are two types of pollination depending upon the nature - they are self pollination and
cross pollination.

*Self pollination* : The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the
same flower or to the stigma of another flower of the same plant is called self pollination. It
usually occurs in bisexual flowers.
*Cross pollination* : The transfer of pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of
another flower on a different plant belonging to the same species is called cross pollination. It
usually occurs in plants having unisexual flower and may also occur in bisexual flowers.

*Agents and methods of cross pollination*

Cross pollination, as a rule, is brought about by external agents which carry the pollen grains
from one flower to the stigma of another flower. The agents are wind, water, insects, bird, snail,
bat etc. The flowers show various types of adaptation and floral parts show modification
according to the type of the agents.

*Characteristics feature of wind-pollinated flowers*

(i) Flowers not coloured or showy; do not emit any sweet odour.

(ii) Flowers are generally small in size.

(iii) The pollen grains are light and powdery in nature.

(iv) The stigmas are branched or feathery and can catch the pollen grains easily; the long style
keeps the stigma outside the flower eg. Paddy.

*Characteristic features of insect pollinated flowers.*

(i) The flowers are bright coloured and showy and may be provided with nectar.

(ii) The pollen grains are large with rough, sticky surface; so that it may stick easily to the body
of an insect.

(iii) The surface of the stigma is sticky so that the pollens adhere firmly e.g. Mango
*Characteristic features of water pollinated flowers*

(i) Pollen grains are light in weight so that they can float on the water surface and are carried
away by the water. Stigmas are provided with bristles so that they can catch the pollen grains
easily e.g. Hydrilla.

*Characteristic features of bird pollinated flowers*

(i) Flowers are bright, showy, attractive and provided with nectar.

(ii) Pollens, sweet scented are sticky e.g. Shimul.

*Problems of pollination :*

a) Excess use of insecticides are reducing useful insects like honeybee.

b) Deforestation of trees destroy the shelter of pollinating vectors like bats. Pollination is thus
hampered.

c) Due to fluctuation of temperature, the blooming period is also changing which is affecting
pollination.

*Summary:*
This chapter covers the structure and types of flowers, including complete and incomplete
flowers, and their reproductive parts. It explains the process of pollination, including self-
pollination and cross-pollination, and the various agents involved, such as wind, water, insects,
and birds. The chapter also highlights the importance of pollination and the problems affecting
it, including the impact of human activities on pollinator populations and ecosystems.