Parts of a flower
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Sepal: usually green and enclose the flower before it opens
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Calyx: the whole set of sepals (collective term) ​
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​Petal: Interior to the sepals, are brightly colored in most flowers and can aid in attracting pollinators
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​Corolla: the whole set of petals (collective term) ​
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Fertile floral organs that produce spores
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Stamen (microsporophylls): produce microspores that develop into pollen grains containing male gametophytes
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Anther: a terminal sac where pollen is produced
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Filament: a stalk of stamen
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​Carpel (megasporophylls): produce mega-spores that give rise to female gametophytes in which seeds are enclosed
- ​​Stigma: sticky part that receives pollen
- Style (pollen tube): leads from the stigma to the ovary
- Ovary: contains one or more ovules
- Ovule: an ovule develops into a seed
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​Pistil: collective term for carpels ​
Flowering Plant Morphology
Leaves arrangement
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alternate petioles
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opposite sessile
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whorled sessile
Leaves types
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simple leaves
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compound leaves
Corolla types
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regular corolla with radial symmetry
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irregular corolla
Inflorescence (flowers in clusters)
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A group of flowers tightly clustered together.
Pistil structure
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single pistil
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polycarpellate (multiple unfused carpels / multiple simple pistils)
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compound pistil (multiple fused pistils)
Ovary position
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superior ovary (petals are attached below the ovary)
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half inferior ovary
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inferior ovary (petals are attached above the ovary)
Fruits
Ovules within the ovary develop into seeds
The walls of the ovary (carpels) grow & develop into the walls of the fruit (pericarp)
Simple fruits:
develop from a single ovary of a single flower
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Dehiscent Fruit:
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Indehiscent Fruit:
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​Dry Fruit:
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Grain (Caryopsis): pericarp thin, fused to seed coat
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Achene: pericarp thin, not fused to seed
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Nut: pericarp forms thick shell, not fused to seed
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Fleshy Fruit:
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​Berry: endocarp thin
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» Bacca (true berry): exocarp → thin skin. (Tomato, grape, coffee bean, cucumber)
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» Hesperidium: exocarp → thick rind. (Citrus)
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Drupe: endocarp thickens/hardens → pit around single seed. (Peach, cherry, plum, mango, olive, coconut)
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Accessory Fruit (Anthocarp):
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​Pome: papery pericarp from inferior ovary forms core around seeds; Receptacle/perianth form the fleshy layer & skin. (Apple, pear)
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dry fruit remains attached to plant. Splits open to release mature seeds
fruit dispersed with seeds
pericarp hardens
mesocarp thick/pulpy/juicy (= sarcocarp)
pericarp thin; other flower parts contribute to much of fruit structure
Source: Oshima, R. Et. Al (2019)
Source: kloranebotanical.foundation
Compound fruits:
develop from the fusion of multiple ovaries or multiple flowers (inflorescence)
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Aggregate drupes:
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​Aggregate achenes with accessory fruit:
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​Multiple fruit:
from flowers with multiple ovaries; each drupelet with tiny pit. (Blackberry, raspberry)
from flowers with multiple ovaries; multiple achenes on fleshy receptacle (torus). (Strawberry)
fusion of fruits from multiple flowers. (Pineapple, fig, mulberry)
Source: digitalatlasofancientlife.org
Source: Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition
Work Cited
“Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition.” Pearson. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
Fruits - Digital Atlas of Ancient Life, www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/embryophytes/angiosperms/fruits/. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
Oshima, Ryudai, et al. 2. OECD Consensus Document on the Biology of Apple (Malus Domestica Borkh.). Series on Harmonisation of Regulatory Oversight in Biotechnology of Apple (Malus Domestica) | Safety Assessment of Transgenic Organisms in the Environment, Volume 9 : OECD Consensus Documents on the Biology of Crops: Apple, Safflower, Rice | OECD Ilibrary, www.researchgate.net/publication/336563365_OECD_Consensus_Document_on_the_Biology_of_Apple_Malus_domestica_Borkh_Series_on_Harmonisation_of_Regulatory_Oversight_in_Biotechnology. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.
“Reference Sheet: Fruits.” Klorane Botanical Foundation, www.kloranebotanical.foundation/en/botany/botany-lessons/reference-sheet-fruits. Accessed 10 Dec. 2025.