About Flowers

A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). flowersThe biological function of a flower is to mediate the union of male sperm with female ovum in order to produce seeds. The process begins with pollination, is followed by fertilization, leading to the formation and dispersal of the seeds. For the higher plants, seeds are the next generation, and serve as the primary means by which individuals of a species are dispersed across the landscape. The grouping of flowers on a plant are called the inflorescence.

 

In addition to serving as the reproductive organs of flowering plants, flowers have long been admired and used by humans, mainly to beautify their environment but also as a source of food.

 

There are different types of flowers, which are used for various purposes. Some flowers are used for decorations during the weddings, birthdays or other special occasions. Flowers as also bundled into attractive bouquets, which can be used as means for decoration as well as gifts. Flowers bring joy with their beautiful colors and their mesmerizing fragrance and a source of joy for everyone.

 

Different Kinds of Flowers
flowers Scientifically speaking, a flower is nothing but a reproductive structure of the plant. The flower contains the male pollen and/or the female ovule in addition to the accessory parts, which are the petals, sepals, and the nectar glands. In terms of botanical studies, flowers can be classified into different types and categories based on several similarities and differences between the different kinds of flowers.

Parts of Plants: Basis for Classification of Different Types of Flowers

The pistil is the female part of the plant, which is shaped like a bowling pin. The pistil is an entire assembly of several parts, which include the stigma, style, and the ovary of the flower. The stigma is located at the top of the flower and it is connected to the ovary by means of the style, which is a long slender tube like structure. The ovary of the flower contains which have to be fertilized in order to develop into a seed. The stamen is the male reproductive part of the flower, which consists of a pollen sac and a long supporting filament. Sepals are green, leaf like structures that are present on the base of the flower. The sepals protect the flower bud, and are collectively referred to as the calyx. The petals are the colorful portion of the flower, which often contain perfume as well as nectar glands. The petals are collectively are called the corolla.

Perfect Flowers
Bisexual flowers are also called as perfect flowers and have both male as well as female reproductive parts. Flowers that contain the androecium as well as the gynoecium are androgynous flowers or hermaphroditic flowers. Examples of bisexual flowers include the lily, rose, and many others. The bisexual flowers do not need to have any features for promoting pollination, since the reproductive process can be taken care of in the same plant with both male and female parts being close to each other.

Imperfect Flowers Flowers that contain only one type of reproductive organ either male or female, are called imperfect flowers. The ones that contain the androecium or the stamens alone are called male flowers whereas the ones that contain the gynoecium alone are called the female flowers. The imperfect flowers need specialized characteristics that will attract pollinating agents or facilitate pollination in some or the other way. Brightly colored petals or enhanced lengths of styles and stamens are some of the characteristics that certain flowers need to develop in order to facilitate pollination.

Thus, these are the types of flowers according to the botanical definitions. In addition to this, the flowers are also differentiated into more specialized groups and types by studying their anatomies and referring to the scientific nomenclature and classification systems.