Flower Morphology
Ovule
An immature seed
Pistile
Female reproductive organ; typically composed of stigma, style, and ovary.
Umbel
Flat-topped or convex inflorescence with pedicels arising from a common point
Corymb
Flat-topped or round-topped inflorescence; modified raceme with lower pedicels longer than upper ones
Complete flower
Has all parts typical of flower present; sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils.
Stigma
Portion of pistil receptive to pollen; site of pollen germination.
Bract
Reduced leaf like structure at base of flower or inflorescence
Dioecious
Separate male and female flowers on separate plants. Male and female plants.
Monoecious
Separate male and female flowers same plant
Peduncle
Stalk of a solitary flower or stalk of entire inflorescence.
Pedicel
Stalk of an individual flower in inflorescence.
Filament
Stalk that supports anther.
Corolla
Collective name for all petals of a flower.
Calyx
Collective term for all sepals of a flower.
Style
Connects stigma to ovary; contains transmitting tract tissue promotes/allows pollen tube to grow
Perfect flower
Contains both male and female reproductive organs.
Ovary
Expanded basal portion of pistil contains ovules; in many fruits is fleshy portion that we eat.
Raceme
Individual flowers stalked on single axis (rachis)
Sepals
Leaf like structure that subtends petals
Petals
Leaf-like structure is often is the showiest structure of a flower. Can be used to attract pollinators
Stamen
Male reproductive organ composed of anther and filament.
Incomplete flower
Missing one or more parts typical of flowers.
Imperfect flower
One but not both sexes in same flower.
Superior/ hypogynous
Ovary attached above floral whorls
Inferior/ epigynous
Ovary attached below floral whorls
Anther
Upper portion stamen that produces and sheds pollen.
