The Flower: Androecium, Gynoecium and Classification of Flowers, Practice Problems and FAQs

All of you like flowers. They are so pretty. They are not only the ornaments of the plants but also help in sexual reproduction. Everyday we saw lots of flowers on our way to school or college. So, have you ever thought about the structure of flowers? Why are they so pretty? Why do butterflies and bees always come near to them?

You need answers to all these questions. Flowers possess male and female reproductive organs. In some flowers, both the reproductive systems are present in the same flower, for example Hibiscus. But in some plants, male and female reproductive structures are present in different flowers. Let’s understand more about the flowers in this article.

                                                                Fig: Parts of flower

Table of contents

• Androecium
• Stamen
• Classification based on the length of stamen
• Classification of flowers based on fusion of stamen with other floral parts
• Classification of flowers based on free or united stamen
• Classification of anther based on number of lobes
• Gynoecium
• Carpel
• Classification of flowers based on fusion of pistils (carpels)
• Classification of flowers based on position of other floral whorls with respect to the ovary
• Placentation
• Practice Problems
• FAQs

Androecium

Androecium is the essential whorl of a flower composed of stamens. It is represented by the letter ‘A’.

                           Fig: Androecium

Stamen

It is the male reproductive organ of a flower.It is a modified leaf and is also called microsporophyll. Sterile and undeveloped stamens are called staminode. It is composed of the following parts:

• Anther
• Filament

Anther

Anther is the lobed structure which produces pollen grains. The lobes are connected to each other by means of a sterile tissue called connective. The anther lobe has two chambers bearing pollen-sacs inside which pollen grain production occurs.

Filament

It is the slender stalk holding the anther in the flower.

                          Fig: Stamen

Classification of flowers based on the length of stamen

The flowers are categorised into two types based on the length of the stamen. These are as follows:

• Didynamous
• Tetradynamous

Classification of flowers based on fusion of stamen with other floral parts

The flowers are categorised on two types on the basis of their fusion of stamen with other floral parts as follows:

• Epipetalous
• Epiphyllous

Classification of flowers based on free or united stamen

The flowers are classified into two types based on their free or united stamen as follows:

• Fused stamens (Cohesion of stamens)
• Polyandrous

Cohesion of stamens

In this condition, the stamens are fused with each other. A flower having five fused stamens is represented as A₍₅₎. Fused stamens are further classified into three types based on the structure though they are fused. These are as follows:

• Adelphous
• Syngenesious
• Synandrous

Adelphous

In this condition, the stamens are fused by their filaments only. They are of three types as follows:

Monadelphous

The fused stamens form one group. Examples include China rose.

                  Fig: Monadelphous

Diadelphous

The fused stamens form two groups. Examples include pea.

                                               Fig: Diadelphous

Polyadelphous

The fused stamens form multiple groups. Examples include Citrus flowers.

                                                        Fig: Polyadelphous

Syngenesious

In this condition, the stamens are fused by their anthers only and the filaments are free. The fused anthers normally form a circle around the gynoecium. It is commonly seen in the Asteraceae or Compositae family. Examples include marigold and Helianthus (Sunflower).

Synandrous

In this condition, the stamens are fused by both their anthers and filaments. Examples include Cucurbita.

Polyandrous

The stamens are free in the flower.

Classification of anther based on number of lobes

Anther is classified into two types based on the number of lobes. These are:

• Monothecous
• Dithecous

Monothecous

In this condition, the anther possesses a single anther lobe with two pollen chambers in it. Examples include Hibiscus.

                                                   Fig: Monothecous anther

Dithecous

In this condition, the anther possesses both the anther lobes. Examples include Crotalaria, Solanum and mustard.

                                                               Fig: Dithecous anther

Gynoecium

It is the essential whorl of a flower that possesses a group of pistils. It is represented by the letter ‘G’. A sterile and underdeveloped pistil is called pistillode.

Pistil

Pistil or carpel is the female reproductive unit of a flowering plant and is composed of the following parts:

• Stigma
• Style
• Ovary

                                                Fig: Gynoecium

Stigma

It is the receptive surface or landing platform of pollen grains. It occupies the terminal position.

Style

It is the elongated part connecting the ovary to the stigma. It is narrow, thin and thread-like. It helps the stigma to rise above the level of ovary. It is of different types based on the origin.

Terminal

Style arises from the top of the ovary. Examples include Petunia.

Lateral

Style originates from the side of the ovary. Examples include Mango flowers.

Gynobasic

In this condition the style originates normally from the mid basal part of the ovary. Examples include Ocimum.

Ovary

Enlarged basal part of the pistil is called the ovary. It is divided into one or multiple chambers known as locules. Ovules are seen attached to the ovary locules. It is attached to the cushion-like placenta by means of a funicle. After fertilisation, the ovary develops into the fruit, the ovary wall transforms into pericarp and the ovules transform into seeds.

                        Fig: Parts of a carpel

Types of ovary

Based on the number of locules present inside the ovary. It is of the following types:

Unilocular

Only one locule is present inside the ovary. Examples include pea.

Bilocular

Two locules are present inside the ovary. Examples include Brassica.

Trilocular

Three locules are present inside the ovary. Examples include Asparagus.

Tetralocular

Four locules are present inside the ovary. Examples include Ocimum.

Pentalocular

Five locules are present inside the ovary. Examples include Hibiscus.

Multilocular

More than five locules present inside the ovary. Examples include lady's finger flowers.

Classification of flowers based on number of pistils

Based on the number of pistils or carpels, the flowers are of different types as follows:

Monocarpellary

Gynoecium possesses only one carpel or pistil.

Bicarpellary

Gynoecium possesses two carpels or pistils.

Tricarpellary

Gynoecium possesses three carpels or pistils.

Polycarpellary

Gynoecium possesses many carpels or pistils.

Classification of flowers based on fusion of pistils (carpels)

The flowers are classified into two types on the basis of fusion of pistils. These are:

• Apocarpous
• Syncarpous

Apocarpous

It is a condition in which multiple carpels are present and they are free. A flower having five free carpel is represented by G₅. Examples include lotus and rose.

                         Fig: Apocarpous flower

Syncarpous

It is a condition in which multiple carpels are present and they remain united. A flower having five fused carpel is represented by G₍₅₎. Examples include mustard and tomato.

                  Fig: Syncarpous flower

Classification of flowers based on position of other floral whorls with respect to the ovary

The flowers are classified into three types on the basis of position of an ovary. These are as follows:

• Hypogynous
• Perigynous
• Epigynous

Placentation

Placentation refers to the pattern of arrangement of ovules inside an ovary.

Types of placentation

The different types of placentation in flower are as follows:

Practice Problems

1. The condition occurs when the filaments of all the stamens of a flower are fused together to create a single bundle is ____________.

1. monandrous
2. monoadelphous
3. Diadelphous
4. Polyadelphous

Solution: The filaments of all the stamens in Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (China rose) are fused together to form a single bundle called the staminal column. This is referred to as a monadelphous condition. Hence, the correct option is b.

2. Determine the types of placentation in the given diagram:

                                                Fig: Types of placentation

1. Basal, axile, parietal, marginal
2. Marginal, parietal, axile, free central
3. Axile, basal, parietal, free central
4. Free central, basal, axile, parietal

Solution: In the given diagram, ‘a’ represents the axile placentation. The placenta is axial and the ovary is divided into two or more chambers (locules) with the ovules arranged there.’b’ represents the basal placentation. A single placenta is present at the base of the ovary with usually a single ovule. It is commonly seen in sunflowers and marigolds. ‘c’ represents the parietal placentation. The ovules develop on the inner wall or on the peripheral part of the ovary. One-chambered ovary apparently appears as a two-chambered ovary due to the formation of a false septum. ‘d’ represents the free central placentation. The ovules are borne on a central axis without any septa. Hence, the correct option is c.

3. What is the non-functional stamen called?

1. accessory stamens
2. staminode
3. young stamens
4. staminates

Solution: In a flower, a stamen is the unit that makes up the male reproductive part. It carries the pollen grain or the male gametophyte, which contains the male gametes. The term ‘sterile stamen or staminode’ refers to a stamen that does not generate pollen. Hence, the correct option is b.

4. Identify the flower in which half inferior ovary is present.

1. Guava
2. Peach
3. Cucumber
4. Cotton

Solution: The gynoecium is at the centre of rose, peach, plum, and other flowers, while other components of the flower are virtually at the same level as the thalamus rim (perigynous). It is said that the ovary is half inferior here. Hence, the correct option is b.

5. What are the primary functions of androecium and gynoecium?
Answer: The androecium is the male reproductive organ in flowers that produce and store the pollen grains. On the other hand, the gynoecium is the female reproductive organ in which the ovary is present. The ovary is transformed into fruit after fertilisation.

6. What is pollen ?
Answer: Pollen grain is the male gametophyte. It is essential for the reproduction in plants. It produces the male gametes.

FAQs

1. Which flower is called the king of flowers?
Answer: Peony belonging to the genus Paeonia is called the ‘king of flowers.’

2. Which flower is considered as the rarest flower?
Answer: The Middlemist Red flower is considered as the rarest flower. There are only two known examples of this particular flower in the entire world.

3. Which is considered as the biggest flower in the world?
Answer: Rafflesia arnoldii is the biggest flower in the world. It is over three feet in diameter and weighs 20 pounds.

4. Which is considered as the smallest flower in the world?
Answer: Watermeal or Wolffia australiana, is the smallest flowering monocot. It is rich in protein.