Parts of
the flowering plant and their function (in alphabetical order,
not all shown or labelled on the diagram)
Anther
- part of the stamen producing the pollen grains which contain the
male sex cells.
Carpel
- the female parts of the flower, consisting of the stigma, style
and ovary.
Filament
- supports the anther and carries nutrients to the anther for the
development of pollen grains.
Ovary
- the swollen base of the pistil and contains the female sex cells
inside the ovules which develop into seeds after fertilisation. The
ovary later then develops and matures into the fruit (dry or fleshy)
enclosing the seeds.
Ovule
- it is borne in the ovary of the flower and contains the female sex
cells (female gametes) and forms a seed seeds after fertilisation.
Petals
- spread above and around the reproductive organs, often brightly
coloured to attract insects required for pollination.
Pistil
- the ovule producing part of the flower, it is the innermost,
seed-bearing, female part of a flower. It is located generally to
the centre and consists of a swollen base called the ovary.
Pollen
grains - contain the male sex cells (male gametes).
Pollen
tube
- grows in the style and conveys the pollen grain down to the ovary
for fertilisation to take place.
Sepals
- these are a defensive organ, consisting of green leaf-like
structures below the main petals and enclose and protect the flower
in the bud. At maturity the sepal opens when the flower blooms.
Stamen
- the male parts of the flower producing the pollen, consisting of
the filament and anther, which is the pollen producing part of the
plant. The filament carries nutrients to the anther for the
development of pollen grains.
Stem
- the main green vertical support for the plant above ground i.e.
the leaves, flowers and bud (the roots support and anchor the plant
below ground).
Stigma
- a specially adapted part of the pistil modified to receive
pollen. The stigma can be feathery and branched or elongated,
adapted for wind-pollinated flowers as those of the grasses, or it
may be compact and have a sticky surface for insect pollinators.
Style
- a tube-like structure connecting the stigma and ovary. It is
crucial for fertilisation and generates the pollen tube down which
the pollen travels to the ovary, but also prevents the passage of
incompatible pollen.
