F L O W E R S
Angiosperm Flower Structure and Function
Angiosperm Definition
Angiosperm Flower Structure
Pistil
Stigma
Style
Ovule
Ovary
The part of a plant, usually at the base/bottom of the flower, that has the seeds inside and turns into the fruit that we eat (if it were a fruit). Ovaries are large, bulbous structures located at the base of the pistil. The ovary contains ovules. The ovaries are usually located in the well-protected center of the flower, although this can vary depending on the species. The ovaries act as a kind of protective chamber around the fragile undeveloped ovules, which develop into seeds from which new plants grow. The female ovary is attached to the male stigma by a tube known as the style, through which pollen is transferred in order to fertilize ovules stored in the ovary. Once the ovules have been fertilized and developed into seeds, the ovary can act as a vehicle to disperse the seeds in order for them to germinate. The terminology of the positions of ovaries is determined by the insertion point, where the other floral parts (perianth and androecium) come together and attach to the surface of the ovary.
Stamen
Anther
The anther is the part of the stamen where pollen is produced and contained. The anther is located within the stamen where these gametes are created. It is the yellow, pouch-like part inside of the flower that holds pollen grains and is usually on top of a long stalk that looks like fine hair. It is composed of a long tube, called a filament, and has a pollen-producing structure on the end. It is crucial in the reproduction of flowering plants, as it produces the male gametophyte, known as pollen.