Page 40 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)

Introduction

The flower is a compressed fertile shoot (sexual branch) with
crowded modified leaves (floral leaves) and shortened internodes.

The flower is highly specialized complex organ, adapted for
the production of the fruit, and seed, i.e. for the propagation of the
individual.
The study of the flower is very important because, it is the first step
in the identification of plants.

A typical flower is usually formed of four stets of floral leaves
arranged on expanded apex of shortened axis called receptacle.
These floral leaves are attached to the receptacle in the following
sequence from the periphery to the centre:
a. The calyx composed of sepals.
b. The corolla composed of petals.
c. The androecium composed of stamens.
d. The gynaecium composed of carpels.

In many flowers secretory glands or nectarines are present
which secrete sugary fluid called nectar. When the outer floral
members (calyx and corolla) are alike they are known collectively
as perianth.
Bract: It is a leafy structure from the axis of which the flower
arises.

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