Nomenclature and Anatomy of Flowers Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office June 2002

A complete flower has 4 parts present sepals petals stamens pistils

Sepal One of the outermost flower structures Commonly small, green, leaflike structures When the sepals and petals appear the same (such as lilies), they are called tepals Collective word for sepals and petals is called perianth

Petals Usually conspicuously colored Collectively called the corolla Normally positioned between sepals and inner flower parts

Stamens Threadlike extensions that stand upright from the perianth Male reproductive parts of a flower Consists of the anther and the filament

Pistils Female reproductive parts of a flower Consists of the stigma, style, and ovary

Types of Flower Structure Solitary Inflorescence

Solitary Flowers Flowers that form singly on upright stalks Ex: tulips, roses, daffodils

Inflorescence A flower that is made up of several florets Flowers have a branching pattern from the main stem The main stalk of an inflorescence is a peduncle, stalks that support the florets are called pedicels

Types of Inflorescence Spike: Has an elongated inflorescence on the main stem. Ex: liatris, gladiolus

Types of Inflorescence Raceme: Similar to a spike except florets aren’t directly attached to the stem Ex: delphinium

Types of Inflorescence Corymb: Has a flat top or slightly convex shape Has main stem with pedicels of unequal length Ex: yarrow

Types of Inflorescence Cyme: Broad and flat topped Has divisions that arise below a terminal flower Ex: Bird of Paradise

Types of Inflorescence Umbel: Flower cluster that is easily recognized Simple umbel has single pedicelled flowers all arising from the top of the main stem. Ex: agapanthus Compound umbel has secondary umbels arising from main stem. Ex: Queen Anne’s Lace

Types of Inflorescence Spadix: Thick flower spike surrounded by a conspicuous bract. The spathe (bract) is often mistakenly identified as the flower Ex: Anthurium

Types of Inflorescence Catkin: Slender , scaly-bracted inflorescence found on woody plants Ex: Willow, alder, birch

Types of Inflorescence Head Flower: Short, dense cluster of flowers in a flat pattern Ex: sunflowers

Leaf Parts Blade Petiole Stipules

Leaf Types Simple leaf: leaf with a single blade Compound leaf: leaf with more than one blade (leaflets)

Leaf Vein Patterns Vein patterns in leaf blades are called venation Types parallel palmate pinnate

Leaf Shapes Basic outline of the blade make up the shape of the leaf Ex: oblong, linear, pelate, elliptic

Leaf Margins Edge of the leaf blade is called a margin The appearance of the margin can affect the texture of a design Ex: entire, undulate, serrate, lobed