Flower

Flower

A flower is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (Angiosperms). The biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs.

Structure

Flowers may be directly attached to the plant at their base (sessile—the supporting stalk or stem is highly reduced or absent). The stem or stalk subtending a flower is called a peduncle. If a peduncle supports more than one flower, the stems connecting each flower to the main axis are called pedicels.

Function

The primary purpose of a flower is reproduction. Since the flowers are the reproductive organs of plant, they mediate the joining of the sperm, contained within pollen, to the ovules — contained in the ovary.

Pollination

Pollination is the movement of pollen from the anthers to the stigma. The joining of the sperm to the ovules is called fertilization. Normally pollen is moved from one plant to another, but many plants are able to self pollinate.

Fertilization and embryogenesis

After fertilization, the ovary of the flower develops into a fruit containing a seed. The fertilization process varies between plants, but the fertilized ovule forms a seed.

See also

• Plant reproduction
• Angiosperms
• Pedicel
• Pollination
• Fertilization

References

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External links

• Flower at WikiMD

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