Principles of Agricultural Science – Plant

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Flower Parts and Function

Unit 4 – Anatomy and PhysiologyLesson 4.5 Flower Power

Principles of Agricultural Science – Plant

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Value of Flowers

Human value:Aesthetics (Beauty)Career and SAE opportunities

The USDA reports 2005 floriculture sales of $5.4 billion in the United States.

Product Sales in 2005Cut Flowers $396.7 million

Potted Flowers and Plants $809 millionBedding and Garden Plants $626.6 million

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Importance of Flowers

Value to the plant – sexual reproduction

Processes of sexual reproduction:PollinationFertilization

Seed development now begins

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Parts of the Flower

Let’s take a minute to review the following parts of the flower:

Parker, 2004

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Female Flower Parts

• Ovule: The “egg cell” of the plant – becomes the seed when fertilized.

• Pollen tube: Transfers pollen from stigma to ovule.

• Pistil– Stigma (part of pistil): Collects pollen.

– Style (part of pistil): Supports stigma.

– Ovary (part of pistil): Contains one or more ovules.

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Male Flower Parts

• Anther: Develops and contains pollen.

• Stamen:– Filament: Supports anther to assist with

pollination.

– Pollen: Male sex cell.

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Supporting Parts

• Petal: Protects pistil and stamens, and attracts insects for pollination.

• Sepal: Outermost leaves protecting the flower during the bud stage.

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Types of Flowers

• Complete: Contains all major flower parts including petals, sepals and both reproductive organs.

• Perfect: Includes both female and male reproductive parts.

• Incomplete: Missing one or more of the sepals, petals, stamens, or pistils.

• Imperfect:– Pistillate– Staminate

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Pistillate Flowers

• The flower is lacking stamens.

The ear on a corn plant is an

example of a pistillate flower.

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Staminate Flowers

• The flower is lacking a pistil.

The tassel on a corn plant is an example of a

staminate flower.

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References

Parker, R. (2004). Introduction to plant science (Rev. ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

Parker, R. (2010). Plant and soil science: Fundamentals and applications. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar.

United States Department of Agriculture. (2006). Floriculture and nursery crops yearbook. Retrieved January 20, 2008, from http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/ers/FLO-yearbook//2000s/2006/FLO-yearbook-06-23-2006.pdf