A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found

in flowering plants (plants of the division Magnoliophyta, also called angiosperms). The

biological function of a flower is to facilitate reproduction, usually by providing a
mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs. Flowers may facilitate outcrossing (fusion
of sperm and eggs from different individuals in a population) resulting from cross
pollination or allow selfing (fusion of sperm and egg from the same flower) when self
pollination occurs.

A poster with flowers or clusters of flowers produced by twelve species of flowering plants from different families.

Flowers in the Netherlands.

Pollination have two types which is self-pollination and cross-pollination. Self-

pollination happens when the pollen from the anther is deposited on the stigma of the
same flower, or another flower on the same plant. Cross-pollination is the transfer of
pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower on a different
individual of the same species. Self-pollination happened in flowers where the stamen
and carpel mature at the same time, and are positioned so that the pollen can land on
the flower’s stigma. This pollination does not require an investment from the plant to
provide nectar and pollen as food for pollinators.[1]
Some flowers produce diaspores without fertilization (parthenocarpy). Flowers
contain sporangia and are the site where gametophytes develop. Many flowers have
evolved to be attractive to animals, so as to cause them to be vectors for the transfer
of pollen. After fertilization, the ovary of the flower develops into fruit containing seeds.
In addition to facilitating the reproduction of flowering plants, flowers have long been
admired and used by humans to bring beauty to their environment, and also as objects
of romance, ritual, religion, medicine and as a source of 

Main parts of a mature flower (Ranunculus glaberrimus).

Diagram of flower parts.

Floral parts
The essential parts of a flower can be considered in two parts: the vegetative part,
consisting of petals and associated structures in the perianth, and the reproductive or
sexual parts. A stereotypical flower consists of four kinds of structures attached to the
tip of a short stalk. Each of these kinds of parts is arranged in a whorl on the receptacle.
The four main whorls (starting from the base of the flower or lowest node and working
upwards) are as follows:
Perianth
Main articles: Perianth, Sepal, and Corolla (flower)
Collectively the calyx and corolla form the perianth (see diagram).
 Calyx: the outermost whorl consisting of units called sepals; these are typically green and enclose
the rest of the flower in the bud stage, however, they can be absent or prominent and petal-like in
some species.
 Corolla: the next whorl toward the apex, composed of units called petals, which are typically
thin, soft and colored to attract animals that help the process of pollination.

Reproductive
Main articles: Plant reproductive morphology, Androecium, and Gynoecium

Reproductive parts of Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum). 1. Stigma, 2. Style, 3. Stamens, 4. Filament, 5. Petal

 Androecium (from Greek andros oikia: man's house): the next whorl (sometimes multiplied into
several whorls), consisting of units called stamens. Stamens consist of two parts: a stalk called
a filament, topped by an anther where pollen is produced by meiosis and eventually dispersed.
 Gynoecium (from Greek gynaikos oikia: woman's house): the innermost whorl of a flower,
consisting of one or more units called carpels. The carpel or multiple fused carpels form a hollow
structure called an ovary, which produces ovules internally. Ovules are megasporangia and they
in turn produce megaspores by meiosis which develop into female gametophytes. These give rise
to egg cells. The gynoecium of a flower is also described using an alternative terminology
wherein the structure one sees in the innermost whorl (consisting of an ovary, style and stigma) is
called a pistil. A pistil may consist of a single carpel or a number of carpels fused together. The
sticky tip of the pistil, the stigma, is the receptor of pollen. The supportive stalk, the style,
becomes the pathway for pollen tubes to grow from pollen grains adhering to the stigma. The
relationship to the gynoecium on the receptacle is described as hypogynous (beneath a superior
ovary), perigynous (surrounding a superior ovary), or epigynous (above inferior ovary).
Structure
Although the arrangement described above is considered "typical", plant species show a
wide variation in floral structure.[2] These modifications have significance in the
evolution of flowering plants and are used extensively by botanists to establish
relationships among plant species.
The four main parts of a flower are generally defined by their positions on the receptacle
and not by their function. Many flowers lack some parts or parts may be modified into
other functions and/or look like what is typically another part. In some families,
like Ranunculaceae, the petals are greatly reduced and in many species the sepals are
colorful and petal-like. Other flowers have modified stamens that are petal-like; the
double flowers of Peonies and Roses are mostly petaloid stamens.[3] Flowers show great
variation and plant scientists describe this variation in a systematic way to identify and
distinguish species.
Specific terminology is used to describe flowers and their parts. Many flower parts are
fused together; fused parts originating from the same whorl are connate, while fused
parts originating from different whorls are adnate; parts that are not fused are free.
When petals are fused into a tube or ring that falls away as a single unit, they are
sympetalous (also called gamopetalous). Connate petals may have distinctive regions: the
cylindrical base is the tube, the expanding region is the throat and the flaring outer
region is the limb. A sympetalous flower, with bilateral symmetry with an upper and
lower lip, is bilabiate. Flowers with connate petals or sepals may have various shaped
corolla or calyx, including campanulate, funnelform, tubular, urceolate, salverform or
rotate.
Referring to "fusion," as it is commonly done, appears questionable because at least
some of the processes involved may be non-fusion processes. For example, the addition
of intercalary growth at or below the base of the primordia of floral appendages such as
sepals, petals, stamens and carpels may lead to a common base that is not the result of
fusion.[4][5][6]

Left: A normal zygomorphic Streptocarpus flower. Right: An aberrant peloric Streptocarpus flower. Both of these flowers
appeared on the Streptocarpus hybrid 'Anderson's Crows' Wings'.

Many flowers have a symmetry. When the perianth is bisected through the central axis
from any point and symmetrical halves are produced, the flower is said to
be actinomorphic or regular, e.g. rose or trillium. This is an example of radial symmetry.
When flowers are bisected and produce only one line that produces symmetrical halves,
the flower is said to be irregular or zygomorphic, e.g. snapdragon or most orchids.
Flowers may be directly attached to the plant at their base (sessile—the supporting stalk
or stem is highly reduced or absent). The stem or stalk subtending a flower is called
a peduncle. If a peduncle supports more than one flower, the stems connecting each
flower to the main axis are called pedicels. The apex of a flowering stem forms a terminal
swelling which is called the torus or receptacle.
Inflorescence

The familiar calla lily is not a single flower. It is actually an inflorescence of tiny flowers pressed together on a central
stalk that is surrounded by a large petal-like bract.

Main article: Inflorescence

In those species that have more than one flower on an axis, the collective cluster of
flowers is termed an inflorescence. Some inflorescences are composed of many small
flowers arranged in a formation that resembles a single flower. The common example of
this is most members of the very large composite (Asteraceae) group. A
single daisy or sunflower, for example, is not a flower but a flower head—an inflorescence
composed of numerous flowers (or florets). An inflorescence may include specialized
stems and modified leaves known as bracts.
Floral diagrams and floral formulae
Main articles: Floral formula and Floral diagram

A floral formula is a way to represent the structure of a flower using specific letters,
numbers and symbols, presenting substantial information about the flower in a compact
form. It can represent a taxon, usually giving ranges of the numbers of different organs,
or particular species. Floral formulae have been developed in the early 19th century and
their use has declined since. Prenner et al. (2010) devised an extension of the existing
model to broaden the descriptive capability of the formula. [7] The format of floral
formulae differs in different parts of the world, yet they convey the same information. [8]
[9][10][11]
The structure of a flower can also be expressed by the means of floral diagrams. The use
of schematic diagrams can replace long descriptions or complicated drawings as a tool
for understanding both floral structure and evolution. Such diagrams may show
important features of flowers, including the relative positions of the various organs,
including the presence of fusion and symmetry, as well as structural details. [8

Main parts of a mature flower (Ranunculus glaberrimus).

Diagram of flower parts.

Floral parts
The essential parts of a flower can be considered in two parts: the vegetative part,
consisting of petals and associated structures in the perianth, and the reproductive or
sexual parts. A stereotypical flower consists of four kinds of structures attached to the
tip of a short stalk. Each of these kinds of parts is arranged in a whorl on the receptacle.
The four main whorls (starting from the base of the flower or lowest node and working
upwards) are as follows:
Perianth
Main articles: Perianth, Sepal, and Corolla (flower)

Collectively the calyx and corolla form the perianth (see diagram).

 Calyx: the outermost whorl consisting of units called sepals; these are typically green and enclose
the rest of the flower in the bud stage, however, they can be absent or prominent and petal-like in
some species.
 Corolla: the next whorl toward the apex, composed of units called petals, which are typically
thin, soft and colored to attract animals that help the process of pollination.

Reproductive
Main articles: Plant reproductive morphology, Androecium, and Gynoecium
Reproductive parts of Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum). 1. Stigma, 2. Style, 3. Stamens, 4. Filament, 5. Petal

 Androecium (from Greek andros oikia: man's house): the next whorl (sometimes multiplied into
several whorls), consisting of units called stamens. Stamens consist of two parts: a stalk called
a filament, topped by an anther where pollen is produced by meiosis and eventually dispersed.
 Gynoecium (from Greek gynaikos oikia: woman's house): the innermost whorl of a flower,
consisting of one or more units called carpels. The carpel or multiple fused carpels form a hollow
structure called an ovary, which produces ovules internally. Ovules are megasporangia and they
in turn produce megaspores by meiosis which develop into female gametophytes. These give rise
to egg cells. The gynoecium of a flower is also described using an alternative terminology
wherein the structure one sees in the innermost whorl (consisting of an ovary, style and stigma) is
called a pistil. A pistil may consist of a single carpel or a number of carpels fused together. The
sticky tip of the pistil, the stigma, is the receptor of pollen. The supportive stalk, the style,
becomes the pathway for pollen tubes to grow from pollen grains adhering to the stigma. The
relationship to the gynoecium on the receptacle is described as hypogynous (beneath a superior
ovary), perigynous (surrounding a superior ovary), or epigynous (above inferior ovary).

Structure
Although the arrangement described above is considered "typical", plant species show a
wide variation in floral structure.[2] These modifications have significance in the
evolution of flowering plants and are used extensively by botanists to establish
relationships among plant species.
The four main parts of a flower are generally defined by their positions on the receptacle
and not by their function. Many flowers lack some parts or parts may be modified into
other functions and/or look like what is typically another part. In some families,
like Ranunculaceae, the petals are greatly reduced and in many species the sepals are
colorful and petal-like. Other flowers have modified stamens that are petal-like; the
double flowers of Peonies and Roses are mostly petaloid stamens.[3] Flowers show great
variation and plant scientists describe this variation in a systematic way to identify and
distinguish species.
Specific terminology is used to describe flowers and their parts. Many flower parts are
fused together; fused parts originating from the same whorl are connate, while fused
parts originating from different whorls are adnate; parts that are not fused are free.
When petals are fused into a tube or ring that falls away as a single unit, they are
sympetalous (also called gamopetalous). Connate petals may have distinctive regions: the
cylindrical base is the tube, the expanding region is the throat and the flaring outer
region is the limb. A sympetalous flower, with bilateral symmetry with an upper and
lower lip, is bilabiate. Flowers with connate petals or sepals may have various shaped
corolla or calyx, including campanulate, funnelform, tubular, urceolate, salverform or
rotate.
Referring to "fusion," as it is commonly done, appears questionable because at least
some of the processes involved may be non-fusion processes. For example, the addition
of intercalary growth at or below the base of the primordia of floral appendages such as
sepals, petals, stamens and carpels may lead to a common base that is not the result of
fusion.[4][5][6]

Left: A normal zygomorphic Streptocarpus flower. Right: An aberrant peloric Streptocarpus flower. Both of these flowers
appeared on the Streptocarpus hybrid 'Anderson's Crows' Wings'.

Many flowers have a symmetry. When the perianth is bisected through the central axis
from any point and symmetrical halves are produced, the flower is said to
be actinomorphic or regular, e.g. rose or trillium. This is an example of radial symmetry.
When flowers are bisected and produce only one line that produces symmetrical halves,
the flower is said to be irregular or zygomorphic, e.g. snapdragon or most orchids.
Flowers may be directly attached to the plant at their base (sessile—the supporting stalk
or stem is highly reduced or absent). The stem or stalk subtending a flower is called
a peduncle. If a peduncle supports more than one flower, the stems connecting each
flower to the main axis are called pedicels. The apex of a flowering stem forms a terminal
swelling which is called the torus or receptacle.
Inflorescence

The familiar calla lily is not a single flower. It is actually an inflorescence of tiny flowers pressed together on a central
stalk that is surrounded by a large petal-like bract.

Main article: Inflorescence

In those species that have more than one flower on an axis, the collective cluster of
flowers is termed an inflorescence. Some inflorescences are composed of many small
flowers arranged in a formation that resembles a single flower. The common example of
this is most members of the very large composite (Asteraceae) group. A
single daisy or sunflower, for example, is not a flower but a flower head—an inflorescence
composed of numerous flowers (or florets). An inflorescence may include specialized
stems and modified leaves known as bracts.
Floral diagrams and floral formulae
Main articles: Floral formula and Floral diagram

A floral formula is a way to represent the structure of a flower using specific letters,
numbers and symbols, presenting substantial information about the flower in a compact
form. It can represent a taxon, usually giving ranges of the numbers of different organs,
or particular species. Floral formulae have been developed in the early 19th century and
their use has declined since. Prenner et al. (2010) devised an extension of the existing
model to broaden the descriptive capability of the formula. [7] The format of floral
formulae differs in different parts of the world, yet they convey the same information. [8]
[9][10][11]
The structure of a flower can also be expressed by the means of floral diagrams. The use
of schematic diagrams can replace long descriptions or complicated drawings as a tool
for understanding both floral structure and evolution. Such diagrams may show
important features of flowers, including the relative positions of the various organs,
including the presence of fusion and symmetry, as well as structural details. [8
Main parts of a mature flower (Ranunculus glaberrimus).

Diagram of flower parts.

Floral parts
The essential parts of a flower can be considered in two parts: the vegetative part,
consisting of petals and associated structures in the perianth, and the reproductive or
sexual parts. A stereotypical flower consists of four kinds of structures attached to the
tip of a short stalk. Each of these kinds of parts is arranged in a whorl on the receptacle.
The four main whorls (starting from the base of the flower or lowest node and working
upwards) are as follows:
Perianth
Main articles: Perianth, Sepal, and Corolla (flower)

Collectively the calyx and corolla form the perianth (see diagram).

 Calyx: the outermost whorl consisting of units called sepals; these are typically green and enclose
the rest of the flower in the bud stage, however, they can be absent or prominent and petal-like in
some species.
 Corolla: the next whorl toward the apex, composed of units called petals, which are typically
thin, soft and colored to attract animals that help the process of pollination.

Reproductive
Main articles: Plant reproductive morphology, Androecium, and Gynoecium
Reproductive parts of Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum). 1. Stigma, 2. Style, 3. Stamens, 4. Filament, 5. Petal

 Androecium (from Greek andros oikia: man's house): the next whorl (sometimes multiplied into
several whorls), consisting of units called stamens. Stamens consist of two parts: a stalk called
a filament, topped by an anther where pollen is produced by meiosis and eventually dispersed.
 Gynoecium (from Greek gynaikos oikia: woman's house): the innermost whorl of a flower,
consisting of one or more units called carpels. The carpel or multiple fused carpels form a hollow
structure called an ovary, which produces ovules internally. Ovules are megasporangia and they
in turn produce megaspores by meiosis which develop into female gametophytes. These give rise
to egg cells. The gynoecium of a flower is also described using an alternative terminology
wherein the structure one sees in the innermost whorl (consisting of an ovary, style and stigma) is
called a pistil. A pistil may consist of a single carpel or a number of carpels fused together. The
sticky tip of the pistil, the stigma, is the receptor of pollen. The supportive stalk, the style,
becomes the pathway for pollen tubes to grow from pollen grains adhering to the stigma. The
relationship to the gynoecium on the receptacle is described as hypogynous (beneath a superior
ovary), perigynous (surrounding a superior ovary), or epigynous (above inferior ovary).

Structure
Although the arrangement described above is considered "typical", plant species show a
wide variation in floral structure.[2] These modifications have significance in the
evolution of flowering plants and are used extensively by botanists to establish
relationships among plant species.
The four main parts of a flower are generally defined by their positions on the receptacle
and not by their function. Many flowers lack some parts or parts may be modified into
other functions and/or look like what is typically another part. In some families,
like Ranunculaceae, the petals are greatly reduced and in many species the sepals are
colorful and petal-like. Other flowers have modified stamens that are petal-like; the
double flowers of Peonies and Roses are mostly petaloid stamens.[3] Flowers show great
variation and plant scientists describe this variation in a systematic way to identify and
distinguish species.
Specific terminology is used to describe flowers and their parts. Many flower parts are
fused together; fused parts originating from the same whorl are connate, while fused
parts originating from different whorls are adnate; parts that are not fused are free.
When petals are fused into a tube or ring that falls away as a single unit, they are
sympetalous (also called gamopetalous). Connate petals may have distinctive regions: the
cylindrical base is the tube, the expanding region is the throat and the flaring outer
region is the limb. A sympetalous flower, with bilateral symmetry with an upper and
lower lip, is bilabiate. Flowers with connate petals or sepals may have various shaped
corolla or calyx, including campanulate, funnelform, tubular, urceolate, salverform or
rotate.
Referring to "fusion," as it is commonly done, appears questionable because at least
some of the processes involved may be non-fusion processes. For example, the addition
of intercalary growth at or below the base of the primordia of floral appendages such as
sepals, petals, stamens and carpels may lead to a common base that is not the result of
fusion.[4][5][6]

Left: A normal zygomorphic Streptocarpus flower. Right: An aberrant peloric Streptocarpus flower. Both of these flowers
appeared on the Streptocarpus hybrid 'Anderson's Crows' Wings'.

Many flowers have a symmetry. When the perianth is bisected through the central axis
from any point and symmetrical halves are produced, the flower is said to
be actinomorphic or regular, e.g. rose or trillium. This is an example of radial symmetry.
When flowers are bisected and produce only one line that produces symmetrical halves,
the flower is said to be irregular or zygomorphic, e.g. snapdragon or most orchids.
Flowers may be directly attached to the plant at their base (sessile—the supporting stalk
or stem is highly reduced or absent). The stem or stalk subtending a flower is called
a peduncle. If a peduncle supports more than one flower, the stems connecting each
flower to the main axis are called pedicels. The apex of a flowering stem forms a terminal
swelling which is called the torus or receptacle.
Inflorescence

The familiar calla lily is not a single flower. It is actually an inflorescence of tiny flowers pressed together on a central
stalk that is surrounded by a large petal-like bract.

Main article: Inflorescence

In those species that have more than one flower on an axis, the collective cluster of
flowers is termed an inflorescence. Some inflorescences are composed of many small
flowers arranged in a formation that resembles a single flower. The common example of
this is most members of the very large composite (Asteraceae) group. A
single daisy or sunflower, for example, is not a flower but a flower head—an inflorescence
composed of numerous flowers (or florets). An inflorescence may include specialized
stems and modified leaves known as bracts.
Floral diagrams and floral formulae
Main articles: Floral formula and Floral diagram

A floral formula is a way to represent the structure of a flower using specific letters,
numbers and symbols, presenting substantial information about the flower in a compact
form. It can represent a taxon, usually giving ranges of the numbers of different organs,
or particular species. Floral formulae have been developed in the early 19th century and
their use has declined since. Prenner et al. (2010) devised an extension of the existing
model to broaden the descriptive capability of the formula. [7] The format of floral
formulae differs in different parts of the world, yet they convey the same information. [8]
[9][10][11]
The structure of a flower can also be expressed by the means of floral diagrams. The use
of schematic diagrams can replace long descriptions or complicated drawings as a tool
for understanding both floral structure and evolution. Such diagrams may show
important features of flowers, including the relative positions of the various organs,
including the presence of fusion and symmetry, as well as structural details. [8
Main parts of a mature flower (Ranunculus glaberrimus).

Diagram of flower parts.

Floral parts
The essential parts of a flower can be considered in two parts: the vegetative part,
consisting of petals and associated structures in the perianth, and the reproductive or
sexual parts. A stereotypical flower consists of four kinds of structures attached to the
tip of a short stalk. Each of these kinds of parts is arranged in a whorl on the receptacle.
The four main whorls (starting from the base of the flower or lowest node and working
upwards) are as follows:
Perianth
Main articles: Perianth, Sepal, and Corolla (flower)

Collectively the calyx and corolla form the perianth (see diagram).

 Calyx: the outermost whorl consisting of units called sepals; these are typically green and enclose
the rest of the flower in the bud stage, however, they can be absent or prominent and petal-like in
some species.
 Corolla: the next whorl toward the apex, composed of units called petals, which are typically
thin, soft and colored to attract animals that help the process of pollination.

Reproductive
Main articles: Plant reproductive morphology, Androecium, and Gynoecium
Reproductive parts of Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum). 1. Stigma, 2. Style, 3. Stamens, 4. Filament, 5. Petal

 Androecium (from Greek andros oikia: man's house): the next whorl (sometimes multiplied into
several whorls), consisting of units called stamens. Stamens consist of two parts: a stalk called
a filament, topped by an anther where pollen is produced by meiosis and eventually dispersed.
 Gynoecium (from Greek gynaikos oikia: woman's house): the innermost whorl of a flower,
consisting of one or more units called carpels. The carpel or multiple fused carpels form a hollow
structure called an ovary, which produces ovules internally. Ovules are megasporangia and they
in turn produce megaspores by meiosis which develop into female gametophytes. These give rise
to egg cells. The gynoecium of a flower is also described using an alternative terminology
wherein the structure one sees in the innermost whorl (consisting of an ovary, style and stigma) is
called a pistil. A pistil may consist of a single carpel or a number of carpels fused together. The
sticky tip of the pistil, the stigma, is the receptor of pollen. The supportive stalk, the style,
becomes the pathway for pollen tubes to grow from pollen grains adhering to the stigma. The
relationship to the gynoecium on the receptacle is described as hypogynous (beneath a superior
ovary), perigynous (surrounding a superior ovary), or epigynous (above inferior ovary).

Structure
Although the arrangement described above is considered "typical", plant species show a
wide variation in floral structure.[2] These modifications have significance in the
evolution of flowering plants and are used extensively by botanists to establish
relationships among plant species.
The four main parts of a flower are generally defined by their positions on the receptacle
and not by their function. Many flowers lack some parts or parts may be modified into
other functions and/or look like what is typically another part. In some families,
like Ranunculaceae, the petals are greatly reduced and in many species the sepals are
colorful and petal-like. Other flowers have modified stamens that are petal-like; the
double flowers of Peonies and Roses are mostly petaloid stamens.[3] Flowers show great
variation and plant scientists describe this variation in a systematic way to identify and
distinguish species.
Specific terminology is used to describe flowers and their parts. Many flower parts are
fused together; fused parts originating from the same whorl are connate, while fused
parts originating from different whorls are adnate; parts that are not fused are free.
When petals are fused into a tube or ring that falls away as a single unit, they are
sympetalous (also called gamopetalous). Connate petals may have distinctive regions: the
cylindrical base is the tube, the expanding region is the throat and the flaring outer
region is the limb. A sympetalous flower, with bilateral symmetry with an upper and
lower lip, is bilabiate. Flowers with connate petals or sepals may have various shaped
corolla or calyx, including campanulate, funnelform, tubular, urceolate, salverform or
rotate.
Referring to "fusion," as it is commonly done, appears questionable because at least
some of the processes involved may be non-fusion processes. For example, the addition
of intercalary growth at or below the base of the primordia of floral appendages such as
sepals, petals, stamens and carpels may lead to a common base that is not the result of
fusion.[4][5][6]

Left: A normal zygomorphic Streptocarpus flower. Right: An aberrant peloric Streptocarpus flower. Both of these flowers
appeared on the Streptocarpus hybrid 'Anderson's Crows' Wings'.

Many flowers have a symmetry. When the perianth is bisected through the central axis
from any point and symmetrical halves are produced, the flower is said to
be actinomorphic or regular, e.g. rose or trillium. This is an example of radial symmetry.
When flowers are bisected and produce only one line that produces symmetrical halves,
the flower is said to be irregular or zygomorphic, e.g. snapdragon or most orchids.
Flowers may be directly attached to the plant at their base (sessile—the supporting stalk
or stem is highly reduced or absent). The stem or stalk subtending a flower is called
a peduncle. If a peduncle supports more than one flower, the stems connecting each
flower to the main axis are called pedicels. The apex of a flowering stem forms a terminal
swelling which is called the torus or receptacle.
Inflorescence

The familiar calla lily is not a single flower. It is actually an inflorescence of tiny flowers pressed together on a central
stalk that is surrounded by a large petal-like bract.

Main article: Inflorescence

In those species that have more than one flower on an axis, the collective cluster of
flowers is termed an inflorescence. Some inflorescences are composed of many small
flowers arranged in a formation that resembles a single flower. The common example of
this is most members of the very large composite (Asteraceae) group. A
single daisy or sunflower, for example, is not a flower but a flower head—an inflorescence
composed of numerous flowers (or florets). An inflorescence may include specialized
stems and modified leaves known as bracts.
Floral diagrams and floral formulae
Main articles: Floral formula and Floral diagram

A floral formula is a way to represent the structure of a flower using specific letters,
numbers and symbols, presenting substantial information about the flower in a compact
form. It can represent a taxon, usually giving ranges of the numbers of different organs,
or particular species. Floral formulae have been developed in the early 19th century and
their use has declined since. Prenner et al. (2010) devised an extension of the existing
model to broaden the descriptive capability of the formula. [7] The format of floral
formulae differs in different parts of the world, yet they convey the same information. [8]
[9][10][11]
The structure of a flower can also be expressed by the means of floral diagrams. The use
of schematic diagrams can replace long descriptions or complicated drawings as a tool
for understanding both floral structure and evolution. Such diagrams may show
important features of flowers, including the relative positions of the various organs,
including the presence of fusion and symmetry, as well as structural details. [8