The flowers are sometimes known as the blossoms or the blooms. They are the reproductive structures that are found in the flowering plants. The main function of the blossoms is to effect production through provision of a mechanism for egg and sperm fusion. Blooms lead to the development of fruits and seeds. Most flowers have evolved to attract animals so they can facilitate pollination. In addition, they have been used by humans to beautify their environment and objects of love and also ritual purpose.
Flowering plants are heterosporous, meaning they are able to produce two types of spores. Meiosis is used to produce the microspores inside the anthers while the megaspores are produced in another part. Both types of spores grow into the gametophytes inside the sporangia.
In many of the blossom species, each flower has both functional stamen and carpel. Botanists describe these blooms as being perfect or bisexual types. Those lacking one or more reproductive organ are referred to as the imperfect ones or unisexual types. The unisex blossoms may be on the same tree but in different location or each of the one sex flower may be on different flowers.
The major purpose is a flower is to produce. They are the reproductive organs of the plant hence they mediate the joining of pollen to the ovules. This process is called fertilization. The ovules that have been fertilized produce seeds that are a part of the next generation. The design of the blooms encourages pollen transfer from one tree to another of same species.
Many blooms have close relationships with specific organisms that aid in pollination. Many of them attract one specific type of insect species and hence, will always depend on that insect for pollination to take place. It this case, both the plant and the animal are thought to have developed for a long duration of time in order to match the needs of each other. This phenomenon is called co-evolution.
The main flower parts are mostly defined by their position at the receptacle but not by their use. Some blooms do not have some parts whereas others have been modified into other uses. In some families, the petals are reduced greatly while other kinds have blossoms whose petal are colorful and look like petals. The stamen of some flower is also modified and look like petals.
Blossoms show great variation, and the scientists who study plants describe the variation in a way that is systematic so that the species can easily be identified. Many blooms have symmetry. If the perianth is cut through the center axis from any given point and same halves are produced, such are called regular blooms. Those that do not produce two equal halves are called irregular blossoms.
Flowers may be attached to the tree at their base. The stem subtending the bloom is the peduncle. If the peduncle is supporting more than one flower, then the stems that connect each flower to the major axis are the pedicels. The apex in the flowering branch develops a terminal swelling called the torus.
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