Reproductive Parts of a Flower

Ovule

A plant structure in seed plants that produces the female gametophyte; contains an egg cell.

Flower

A plant structure where seeds are made. Flowers come in all colors, shapes and sizes. They often smell sweet to attract insects to visit them!

Roots

Absorbs water and minerals from the ground. Anchors plant in ground.

Pollinator

An insect or animal that carries pollen from one flower to another, enabling plants to reproduce.

Petals

Brightly colored structures just inside the sepals; attracts insects and other pollinators to a flower and then fall off after reproduction is over.

Stem

Holds up the plant and carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves

Stigma

In a flower this landing zone and entrance is the stigma. It plays a pivotal role in reproduction. Most stigmas are adapted to trap pollen with hairs, flaps and other surfaces to increase their efficiency. Most stigmas are covered with a waxy, sticky substance.

Anther

Male part of the flower where sperm (pollen) are produced by meiosis

Stamen

Male part of the flower; made up of an anther and a filament.

Filament

Part of flower that holds up the anther

Carpel/Pistil

The female reproductive part of a flower

Pollination

The placement of pollen onto the stigma of a carpel/pistil by wind or animal carriers, a prerequisite to fertilization.

Style

The style of a flower is the stalk that supports the stigma and connects it to the ovary. One major function of the style is to assist with fertilization by being the location where pollen tubes travel to deliver sperm cells to the egg.

Ovary

A flower structure that encloses and protects ovules and seeds as they develop.