Parts of Flowers

A flower is the reproductive structure of a plant that helps it produce new generations and is composed of parts arranged in circular rings called whorls. A typical flower, such as the hibiscus, contains four distinct whorls known as the calyx, corolla, androecium, and gynoecium.

The outer whorls

• The calyx is the lowest ring at the base of the flower near the stem, made up of small leaf-like structures called sepals.
• The calyx protects the flower from harm while it is still growing in bud form, much like a helmet shields a head.
• The corolla is the ring of colorful, attractive petals that sits inside and above the calyx.
• The corolla is brightly colored to attract bees, insects, and other pollinators to the flower.

The reproductive whorls

• The androecium is the male reproductive part of the flower, consisting of tiny straw-like structures called filaments.
• The ends of these filaments have round structures called lobes, which hold a powdery dust-like material called pollen grains (makaranda tul).
• The gynoecium is the female reproductive part of the flower, which is also commonly referred to as the pistil.
• The gynoecium consists of three connected sections: a base called the ovary, a slender tube rising from it called the style, and a top part called the stigma.

How flowers are classified

• Flowers are divided into two main categories depending on which of the four whorls they contain.
• A complete flower possesses all four whorls, including both the male androecium and the female gynoecium.
• Because a complete flower contains both male and female reproductive organs, it is known as a bisexual flower.
• An incomplete flower is missing one of the reproductive parts, meaning it is a unisexual flower that is either male or female.
• An incomplete male flower has a calyx, corolla, and androecium, whereas an incomplete female flower has a calyx, corolla, and gynoecium.