The flower is a highly specialized reproductive shoot. Each typical flower consist of four distinct types of members arranged in four separate but closely set whorls, one above the other, on the top of a long or short stalk.
Parts of the flower
The flower is commonly borne on a short or long axis. This axis consists of two regions, viz. the pedicel and thalamus. The pedicel is the stalk of the flower. It may be short or long or even absent. The thalamus is the swollen end of the axis, to which the floral leaves are attached. These floral leaves are sepals, petals, stamens and carpels, and the respective whorls consisting them calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium.
Calyx: This is the first whorl of the flower and, is composed of a number of green leafy sepals. The primary function of the calyx is to enclose the flower in its bud stage and protect it from sun and rain.
Corolla: This makes the second whorl of the flower and consist of a number of usually brightly colored petals. The main function of the petals is to attract insects for pollination.
Androecium: This is the third whorl of the flower consists of stamens called as the male reproductive part of the flower. Each stamen consists of three parts- filament, anther and connective.
Gynoecium: This is the fourth whorl and its components are known as carpels. The gynoecium consist of stigma, style and ovary. Gynoecium is the female reproductive part of the flower. The small rounded head of the gynoecium is known as stigma, the slender stalk supporting the stigma is called the style and the swollen basal part of the gynoecium is known as ovary.