Question

Explain the term pistillate flower.

Answer 1

Flowers consist of male and female reproductive organs of the plants. A flower can have only female reproductive parts or only male reproductive parts (unisexual) or both reproductive parts can be present on the same flower (bisexual). On the basis of organs that are present in the flowers they are named.

Complete answer:
Flowers are the reproductive structures present in the angiosperms. They are usually distinctive in colour and structure when compared to the other parts of the plant. Flowers are found in various colours, structures varying from minute blossoms to giant blooms. Some flowers are produced singly as in Petunia and some are produced in bunches in an inflorescence as in snapdragon.
The flowers which consist of stamens are the male flowers and are known as staminate flowers whereas the flowers which have a pistil are female flowers and are known as pistillate flowers. Flowers also have accessory structures like sepal and petals which are more of decorative purpose and are used to attract pollinators. Parts of a flower are arranged in different whorls. A flower consists of four distinct whorls: outer calyx which has the sepals, corolla which has the petals, androecium which a group of stamens and gynoecium which has the pistil and is present in the centre of the flower.

Additional information:
-Perianth comprises both sepals and petals. It makes the floral envelope and protects the reproductive organs.
-Sepals are reduced leaves and green in colour whereas petals are large and showy and of a variety of colours.
-Androecium forms the male reproductive organ consisting of anthers in which pollen grains are produced.
-Gynoecium consists of one or more pistils which have a stigma style and ovary.
-Ovaries have ovules which further develop into seeds.

Note: A flower is said to be complete when all the petal, sepals, pistil and stamens are present in a flower and it is called incomplete when even one of these is absent. If the flower has both stamens and pistil present then it is known as a perfect flower even if the sepals and petals are absent.