Flowering Plant Morphology

Question 1

Anther

Answer 1

The portion of the stamen that contains pollen

Question 2

Inferior ovary

Answer 2

In this floral morphology, the ovary is seated below the stamens, petals, and sepals

Question 3

Petiole

Answer 3

The structure that attaches the leaf blade to the stem

Question 7

Petal

Answer 7

The inner whirl of leaflike structures that surround the male and female parts of the flower. Petals are often, but not always, brightly colored, presumably to attract pollinators

Question 8

Receptacle

Answer 8

The structure at the base of the flower to which the perianth, stamen, and pistil are attached

Question 9

Stigma

Answer 9

The portion of the pistil onto which pollen is deposited. Pollen deposited on the stigma will fertilize the plants ovules, resulting in seed production

Question 10

Actinomorphic

Answer 10

A flower that is divisible into equal, mirror image halves by two or more planes

Question 11

Lamina

Answer 11

The flattened, expanded portion of the leaf, also referred to as the blade

Question 12

Alternate phyllotaxy

Answer 12

In this phyllotaxy, leaves arise from alternate sides of the stem, and only one leaf arises from a given point (node) on the stem

Question 15

Sepals

Answer 15

The outer whorl of leaflike structures that surround the male and female parts of the flower. Sepals are often green-colored, but in some species they are brightly-colored, presumably to attract pollinators

Question 16

Zygomorphic

Answer 16

A flower that is divisible into equal, mirror image halves by only one plane

Question 17

Ovary

Answer 17

The portion of the pistil that contains the ovules (unfertilized seeds)

Question 18

Style

Answer 18

The elongated portion of the pistil between the stigma and the ovary. The pollen tubes have to pass through the style to reach and fertilize the plant’s ovules

Question 19

Perianth

Answer 19

The leaflike structures that surround the male and female parts of the flower. There are two whorls of leaflike structures: petals and sepals

Question 21

Superior ovary

Answer 21

In this floral morphology, the ovary is seated above the stamens, petals, and sepals

Question 22

Stipule

Answer 22

Small, leaflike structures positioned where the leaf attaches to the stem

Question 23

Stamen

Answer 23

The male portion of the flower

Question 24

Whorled phyllotaxy

Answer 24

In this phyllotaxy, more than two leaves arise from a given point (node) on the stem

Question 25

Filament

Answer 25

The stalk that attaches the pollen-bearing anther to the flower

Question 26

Opposite phyllotaxy

Answer 26

In this phyllotaxy, pairs of leaves arise from a given point (node) on the stem

Question 29

Simple leaves

Answer 29

In this leaf morphology, the leaf blade is not subdivided

Question 31

Pistil

Answer 31

The female portion of the flower

Question 34

Compound leaf

Answer 34

A leaf whose blade is subdivided into two or more segments