The flower and the diversity of flowers
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Choose one flower nearby, draw it and label the parts.
Calyx, corolla, stamens, pistil, peduncle, receptacle.
2
Write and explain the plum flower formula.
Gk₅ Gt₅ Ch∞ U₁: 5 sepals, 5 petals, many stamens, 1 pistil.
3
Apple, willow, maize, bean, pumpkin: which have unisexual flowers? Write and justify.
Willow, maize and pumpkin have unisexual flowers; apple and bean are bisexual.
4
In the shepherd’s purse formula the stamens are 2+4. How many stamens in all?
6
5
Why do the number and arrangement of flower parts help identify a plant’s family? Write 2–3 sentences.
Related plants have similar flower structure (numbers, fusion); these features are inherited, so the formula points to the family.