Inflorescence
The arrangement of flowers on the floral axis is
termed as inflorescence. Two main types of
inflorescence are racemose and cymose.
Racemose Cymose
[Link] main axis [Link] axis terminates in flower
continuous to having limited growth.
grow.
[Link] are borne in a
[Link] are basipetal succession.
borne laterally in
an acropetal [Link]- Jasmine,
succession. Bougainvillea.
[Link]- Radish,
Mustard.
The flower
Flower is the reproductive part of angiospermic
plants for sexual means of reproduction.
A typical flower has four whorls arranged on a
swollen end of stalk or pedicel
called thalamus. They are Calyx, Corolla,
Androecium and Gynoecium.
When a flower has both androecium and
gynoecium, the flower is called bisexual and
flower having either androecium or gynoecium
only is called unisexual.
When flower can be divided into two equal
radial halves in any radii passing through
center the symmetry of flower is
called actinomorphic (radial symmetry) as in
Mustard, Datura, and Chili.
When flower can be divided into two similar
parts only in one vertical plane it
is zygomorphic as in Pea, Gulmohar, Cassia
etc.
When Floral appendages are in multiple of 3,4
or 5 they are called trimerous,
tetramerous and pentamerous respectively.
Flower with bracts are called bracteates and
without it ebracteate.
Based on the position of ovary with respect to
other floral part on thalamus, flowers are of
following types:
[Link] flower– Ovary occupies the
highest position. The ovary in such case is
called superior. Eg. Mustard, brinjal and china
rose.
MBC
[Link] flowers-If the gynoecium is
situated at the centre and other parts are on
the rim at same height. Ovary is called half-
inferior.
[Link] flowers- The margin of thalamus
grows to completely cover the ovary. Ovary is
said to be inferior.
Calyx is the outermost whorl of the flower; its
members are called sepals. They are generally
green and leafy; protect the flower in bud stage. It
may be gamosepalous (sepals united)
or polysepalous (sepals free).
Corolla consists of petals, brightly coloured to
attract the insects for pollination. They may be
gamopetalous or polypetalous.
AESTIVATION
[Link] mode of arrangement of petals in floral
bud with respect to the other members of
same whorl is called aestivation. In valvate,
the whorls of sepals or petals touch each other
as in Calotropis.
[Link] Twisted aestivation, the whorls overlap
each other as in China rose.
[Link] Imbricate aestivation, margin overlap each
other but not in particular fashion as in
Gulmohur.
[Link] pea and bean flowers, there are five petals-
the largest (standard) overlaps the two lateral
petals (wings) which in turn overlap two
smallest anterior petals (keel). This type of
aestivation is known as vexillary .
The Androecium
Androecium represent the male reproductive
parts of flower, consists of stamens. Each
stamen consists of filament and anther. Pollen
grains are produced in pollen sac. Sterile
stamen is called Staminode.
When stamens are attached with petals it is
called epipetalous (Brinjal).
Epiphyllous condition in Lily.
Stamen may be free (polyandrous)
or may be united in one bundle
(monoadelphous),
two bundles (diadelphous),
more than two (polyadelphous).
The Gynoecium
Female reproductive part of flower consists of
one or more carpels. Each carpel is made up of
stigma style and ovary.
When more than one carpel is present, it may
be free (apocarpous) as in lotus and rose
or fused together (syncarpous) as in mustard
and tomato.
After fertilisation, ovules change into seeds and
ovary mature into fruits.
Placentation
The arrangement of ovules within the ovary is
called placentation.