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 THE FLOWER AND INFLORESCENCE

• A flower is a modified shoot wherein the shoot apical meristem changes to floral meristem.
• Internodes do not elongate and the axis gets condensed.
• The apex produces various floral appendages laterally at successive nodes instead of leaves.
• When a shoot tip transforms into a flower, it is solitary.
 THE FLOWER AND INFLORESCENCE

• Arrangement of cluster of flowers on the floral axis is called inflorescence. A. Racemose

• Based on whether the apex gets converted into a flower or continues to
grow, inflorescences are 2 types: B. Cymose
 THE FLOWER AND INFLORESCENCE
• In this, the main axis continues to grow.
A. Racemose
• Flowers are borne laterally in an acropetal succession.

• In this, the main axis terminates in a flower, hence is limited in growth.

B. Cymose
• The flowers are borne in a basipetal order.

Old flower

New flower
 THE FLOWER

• It is the reproductive unit in the angiosperms. It is meant for sexual reproduction.

• A flower has a stalk (pedicel). Its swollen end is called thalamus (receptacle).
• Reduced leaf found at the base of the pedicel is called bracts.
• Flowers with bracts are called bracteate and those without bracts, ebracteate.
 THE FLOWER

• A typical flower has 4 kinds of whorls

arranged on thalamus:
 Calyx Accessory
organs
 Corolla

 Androecium Reproductive
 Gynoecium organs
 THE FLOWER

• In some flowers like lily, the calyx and corolla are not distinct. It is termed as perianth.
• When a flower has both androecium and gynoecium, it is bisexual.
• A flower having either only androecium or only gynoecium is unisexual.
THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER
Based on symmetry, A. Actinomorphic B. Zygomorphic C. Asymmetric
flowers are 3 types: (radial symmetry) (bilateral symmetry) (irregular)
THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER

• Here, a flower can be divided into 2 equal radial halves in any

A. Actinomorphic radial plane passing through the centre.
(radial symmetry)
• E.g. mustard, datura, chilli.

mustard datura chilli

THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER

• Here, a flower can be divided into two similar halves only in one
B. Zygomorphic particular vertical plane.
(bilateral symmetry)
• E.g. pea, gulmohur, bean, Cassia.

pea gulmohur Cassia

THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER

• Here, a flower cannot be divided into two similar halves by any

C. Asymmetric vertical plane passing through the centre.
(irregular)
• E.g. Canna.

Canna indica Canna

THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER

Based on number of floral  Trimerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 3.

appendages, flowers are  Tetramerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 4.
many types:  Pentamerous: Floral appendages are multiple of 5.

Trimerous Tetramerous Pentamerous

THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER
Based on the position of calyx, corolla and androecium in respect of the ovary on thalamus,
the flowers are 3 types:

A. Hypogynous B. Perigynous C. Epigynous

Hypogynous Perigynous Epigynous

THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER
• Here, gynoecium occupies the highest position while other parts are
situated below it.
A. Hypogynous
• The ovary is superior.
• E.g. mustard, China rose & brinjal.
THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER
• Here, gynoecium is situated in centre and other parts of the flower
are located on the rim of the thalamus almost at the same level.
B. Perigynous • The ovary is half inferior.
• E.g. plum, rose, peach.

Ovary
THE FLOWER TYPES OF FLOWER
• Here, the margin of thalamus grows upward enclosing the ovary
completely and getting fused with it.
C. Epigynous • Other parts of flower arise above the ovary. The ovary is inferior.
• E.g. Guava, cucumber, ray florets of sunflower.

Ovary
Margin of
thalamus
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