Flower: what it is, parts of the flower, function and types of flowers.

What is a flower?

A flower is the part of the plant responsible for reproduction. Its structure includes a short stem and a cluster of modified leaves that protects the sex cells and ensures the formation of new seeds.

Plants that have flowers are called spermatophytes and are sub-classified into two groups:

• Angiosperms: they are the most evolved type of plants and make up the majority of the flowering plants of the plant kingdom with about 250 thousand species. They have a complex genetic structure and generate fruits with seeds. Gymnosperms: are plants whose flowers have a cone or pineapple-shaped structure, with the seeds exposed and do not bear fruit. They are represented by about 800 plant species.

The word flower comes from the Latin flos , which in turn seems to have its origin in the Indo-European root bhlē , which means to flourish.

Parts of the flower

Peduncle

It is the final part of the stem and its function is to hold the flower through the receptacle

Receptacle

It is the upper segment of the peduncle and is the structure that supports the specialized leaves (petals), as well as the organelles that make up the flower.

Perianth

It is the structure in which the flower organelles are kept protected. It contains the sepals, which are the small leaves that have the function of supporting the first petals, it also contains the corolla, the most striking petals of the flower.

Pistil

It is a tubular-shaped element that contains the female reproductive system of the flower.

Geniceus

It is the female reproductive system, and in turn is made up of the stigma (upper part of the pistil), the pollen tube that is the upper part of the style (where the pollen goes down), the ovaries, and the ovules.

Androecium

It is the male reproductive system and is made up of the stamen, which is the organ that produces pollen, the anthers, the part of the flower where pollen is produced and which in turn is supported by the filaments, and teak, where pollen production is saved.

Petals

They are the specialized leaves of the flower. Its colors, shape, the presence or absence of aroma responds to multiple genetic and climatic factors, but in general they are very visually attractive structures since their function is to attract pollinating agents (bees, insects, etc.).

See also Parts of the flower.

Flower functions

The butterfly is one of the pollinating agents of flowers that contribute to the reproduction process.

Flowers have three essential functions for nature:

Pollination

It is the displacement of the pollen grain from the anthers (one of the organelles of the androcean) towards the upper part of the pistil (stigma). Pollination, in turn, can be of two types:

• Direct pollination: the passage of pollen to stigma is carried out without the intervention of pollinating factors. Indirect pollination: the passage of pollen to the stigma is carried out from one flower to another with the help of pollinating agents such as bees, birds, insects or the human hand.

Seed production

Once the pollen has been produced and transported to the stigma, fertilization occurs, which will generate new seeds.

The seeds of a flower are new fruits and potential plants. Therefore, the survival of that species depends on the seeds being able to be produced, propagated and developed efficiently.

Fruit production

If the seeds develop properly they will give rise to new fruits that in many cases are edible. Therefore, flowers are a source of food for both animals and humans.

Characteristics of the flowers

The flowers have functional and aesthetic characteristics that make them recognizable to the naked eye, such as

Striking structure or colors

The flowers are brightly colored to attract pollinating agents, such as bees or butterflies. The distribution of its petals also fulfills this function.

Produce nectar

The flowers also generate a substance called nectar, which works as a kind of "hook" to attract bees, butterflies and other types of pollinators. By perching on the flower to search for nectar, pollen attaches to them and travels to other plants.

They generate aromas

Many floral species generate pleasant aromas for the human nose, such as roses or lavender. However, there are specimens such as the "corpse flower" ( amorphophallus titanum ) that is characterized by generating a putrefying odor. That scent is an evolutionary trait that the flower developed to attract flies, beetles, and other types of pollinating agents.

They can act as a defense mechanism for plants

Some plants have flowers that function as a defense against herbivorous animals. Foxgloves ( digitalis purpurea ) are plants whose flowers generate chemicals that not only alienate animals, but are also toxic to humans.

Types of flowers

There are several types of flowers depending on their number of first leaves (cotyledons) or their sexual organs.

Flowers according to their number of cotyledons

Cotyledons are the first leaves of a plant, which contain an essential part of the seed. Within angiosperms, which are the flowers that bear fruit with seeds, there are two main categories according to the number of cotyledons (first leaves of a plant) that have:

Monocotyledons

They have seeds of a single cotyledon, that is, of a first leaf that gave rise to the plant. Generally, they have 3 petals or multiples of three. Examples of cotyledon flowers would be orchids, tulips, lilies, and food plants such as corn and wheat.

Dicotyledons

They are flowers with seeds that come from two cotyledons or first leaves and usually have petals in multiples of four or five. Examples of dicotyledonous flowers would be those of the eucalyptus tree, the roses and the flowers of the apple tree.

Flowers according to their reproductive organs

Depending on the sexual organs that the flowers possess, these can be:

Hermaphrodites

They are flowering plants that have both female (pistil) and male (stamens) organs simultaneously. Some examples of hermaphrodite flowers are those of tomato, coffee and citrus plants.

Monoecious

They are plants that have a group of flowers with male organs and another with female organs. The action of pollinating agents such as wind, bees or humans contributes to reproduction. Examples of monoecious flowering plants would be rice and sorghum.

Dioicas

They are flowering plants that have only one type of sexual organ. That means that in order for them to reproduce, they need another plant that has flowers with the opposite reproductive organ. Examples of dioecious flowering plants can be ginkgo biloba and kiwi.

See also The incredible meaning of the 15 most beautiful flowers in the world.