THE FLOWER: PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
The typical structure of a flower is shown to the right. Below is each part listed along with their structure and function. 1. Petals: These are usually a bright colour, and are found in the interior of the sepals while the flower develops. They attract pollinators to the flower, such as bees, bats, or hummingbirds. For example, since bees see UV light, they see the centre of the flower as a bulls-eye, shown to the right. 2. Sepal: These are the exterior circles of the flower, and often look similar to leaves. These hold the flower bud while it develops, and before it unfurls. It also often has a green colour. 3. Petiole: This is the tough, stiff stalk of the flower. The petiole holds the flower high so it can be seen by pollinators. It also helps the flower to survive through severe weather conditions, such as wind. 4. Nectary: The nectary is the small base at the bottom of the carpel, or the female parts. This produces nectar, which helps to attract pollinators to the flower along with the petals. 5. Stamen: This produces the male gametophytes, and contains the male parts- the anther and the filament, which are located inside the petal ring. 6. Anther: This is located at the top of the filament, and is a small oval sac that goes through meiosis to produce haploid male gametophytes. These are known as pollen grains. 7. Filament: The filament is the long stalk attached to the anther, and supports it so pollinators can carry the pollen to another flower (if needed). 8. Carpel (or Pistil): This is also located in the centre of the petals, but produce the female gametophytes. The carpel is made up of the stigma, the style, and the ovary. 9. Stigma: The stigma is the small sticky section at the top of the style, and is also the location where pollen grains tend to land. 10. Style: This is the actual diameter of the carpel, which eventually narrows down into a thinner stalk. This tube is where the pollen grains go down to fertilize the male gametophyte. 11. Ovary: The ovary is the base at the bottom of the carpel itself, and holds one or more ovules. These produce the female gametophytes. |