A Cool Way to Look at Floral Anatomy Floral Formulas A Cool Way to Look at Floral Anatomy

Floral Formulas System of notation Display a ton of information about the structure of a flower Similar to the notation we used when we learned about grasses Not standardized

Floral Formulas Using the 4 whorls of floral parts as our reference Calyx (sepals) Corolla (petals) Androecium (stamens) Gynoecium (pistils)

Floral Formulas K = calyx C = corolla A = androecium G = gynoecium

Floral Formulas Number of Parts K5 = calyx of 5 sepals C6 = corolla of 6 petals A10 = androecium of 10 stamens G2 = gynoecium of 2 carpels C0 = corolla missing A4[5] = androecium usually of 4 stamens, rarely 5

Number of Parts (a little more complicated) Floral Formulas Number of Parts (a little more complicated) A4+2 = androecium of 6 stamens, 4 in 1 set, 2 in another G2-3 = gynoecium of 2 or 3 carpel Ax = androecium of a low unstable number (about 10-20) stamens G∞ = gynoecium of high unstable number, more than 20 carpels

Floral Formulas Symmetry K = calyx actinomorphic (radially) C = corolla actinomorphic Kz = calyx zygomorphic (bilaterally) Cz = corolla zygomorphic

Floral Formulas Fusion of Parts K4 = calyx of 4 separate sepals C3 = corolla of 3 separate petals K(4) = calyx of 4 fused sepals G(2) = gynoecium of 2 fused carpels G4 = gynoecium of 4 separate carpels A5 = androecium of 5 stamens fused by their filaments

Floral Formulas Fusion of Parts (cont.) A5G2 = androecium and gynoecium fused by their upper parts K C A = calyx, corolla, and androecium united into a hypanthium

Floral Formulas Ovary Position G = ovary superior; flower hypogenous or perigynous G = ovary inferior; flower epigynous -G- = ovary half-inferior G = ovary either superior or inferior

Floral Formulas K5 Cz1+(2)+2 A9+1 G1 Given:

Floral Formulas Translation K5 Cz1+(2)+2 A9 +1 G1 Calyx of 5 separate sepals Corolla zygomorphic (bilaterally symmetrical); of 5 petals, 2 fused together, 2 free and forming a pair, and a 5th different from the others Androecium of 10 stamens, 9 joined by their filaments, the 10th free Gynoecium unicarpellate, the ovary superior

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K(5) Cz(5) A2 or 2+2 G(2)

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K3-5 C5 A∞ G(5-8)

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K4 C4 A4+2 G(2)

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K4 C4 A8 G(4)

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Interpreting Floral Formulas Practice K(5) Cz5 A2+2 G(2)

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: Flowers bilaterally symmetrical 5 fused sepals 5 fused petals 4 stamens, 2 in one set and 2 in another Superior ovary, 2 fused carpels Verbenaceae

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: 4 sepals 4 petals 8 stamen Calyx, corolla, androecium form a hypanthium Inferior ovary, 4 fused carpels Onagraceae

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: 3-5 fused sepals 5 petals More than 20 fused stamens Superior ovary, 5-8 fused carpels Malvaceae

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: 5 fused sepals 5 petals 10-many stamens, sometimes 4 Superior ovary, 1 carpel Fabaceae Mimosidae

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: 5 fused sepals 5 petals, zygomorphic 10 stamens Superior ovary, 1 carpel Fabaceae Caesalpinoidea

Writing Floral Formulas Practice Given the following description, write the floral formula: 4-5 fused sepals 4-5 fused petals, zygomorphic 4 stamens in 2 sets of 2 Hypogenous, 2 fused carpels Acanthaceae

Homework For Next Time Using your notes from previous classes, try to figure out which plant families you have just written the floral formulas for Bring the names of the families with you to our next meeting