ANATOMY OF A FLOWER

Peel back the petals of these pretty plants

Sticky stigma

Reaching up at the highest point of the flower, the job of the stigma is to catch pollen. Its sticky surface will capture any pollen that comes into contact with it.

Protective petals

Often brightly coloured, these leaf-like structures surround the flower’s reproductive organs for protection. Their colour and scent also work to attract pollinating animals to the plant.

Connecting style

This stalk connects the stigma and the ovary. The collective name for the stigma, ovary and style is the pistil. During reproduction, pollen will tunnel a tube through the style in order for male reproductive cells to reach the ovary.

Central ovary

Usually protected within the centre of the flower, the ovary is the female organ of the flower. Inside the ovary is where seeds will develop.

Pollen producers

These round sacs are called anthers. Pollen grains are produced inside, which contain the flower’s male reproductive cells. Many grains of pollen are stored on the anthers, ready for their journey to another plant.

Filament support

The filament makes up half of the flower’s stamen, along with the anther it’s holding up. Filaments are cylindrical structures which extend the pollen to a more accessible part of the flower for the wind or animals to access.

Encased ovules

Inside the ovary is at least one ovule. Many flowers contain more than one, which when fertilised become seeds.

Surrounding sepals

Before a flower blooms, these green, leaf-shaped structures surround the bud to keep it protected. Once the petals have opened up, the sepals are located below them for support.