The Power of Flowers

The Structure of a Flower

Flower Parts

Sepals- Outermost portion of flower

- Protects flower bud from insect damage and drying out

Flower Parts

Petals- Usually brightly

colored- Often have perfume

or nectar to attract pollinators

- Provides surface for insects to rest while feeding

Flower Parts

Stamens

- Contains pollen-producing anther at tip

- Thin filament attaches anther to flower stem

- When pollen grains mature, anther splits open to release them

Flower Parts

Pistil- Contains 3 parts:

stigma, style, ovary- Stigma is sticky

surface where pollen lands

- Style connects stigma to ovary

- Ovary, which becomes the fruit, contains ovules which when fertilized, become a seed

Pollination!

- Wind scatters pollen randomly

- Nectar attracts animal pollinators

- Colors signal appropriate pollinators

- Scent attracts pollinators

Flower Structure Terms

COMPLETE FLOWER- has all 4 organs

- sepals, petals, stamens, and pistils

INCOMPLETE FLOWER- lacks 1 or more organs

Question ?

How are different flower shapes important to a plant’s survival?

Hmm…

The Answer is…The shape of the flower may promote different pollination methods. For example, tube-shaped flowers are probably pollinated by animals.

Groovy!