Question

What are sessile and pedicellate flowers?

Answer 1

Pedicel is defined as a structure connecting a single flower to its inflorescence. Most of the flowers usually have a pedicel to connect them to stem or peduncle. In the absence of a pedicel, the flowers are known as sessile.

Complete answer: A pedicel can be defined as a stem that attaches a single flower to the inflorescence. Such a flower is called a pedicellate flower. Pedicel is also applied to the stem of the inflorescence. It is the stalks or branches that hold each flower in an inflorescence that contains more than one flower. The stem or branch from the main axis (main stem) that holds an inflorescence is called peduncle. In other words, the peduncle is the main stem that holds a group of pedicles in an inflorescence. Some common examples of pedicellate flowers are Hibiscus, rose, etc.
Sessile flowers are those flowers which do not have a pedicel. They may be found solitary or in an inflorescence. Spike and spadix inflorescences have sessile flowers. Some common examples of sessile flowers found in India are Achyranthes, saffron etc.

Additional information:
A pedicel is considered as a short flower stalk in an inflorescence or cluster of flowers. Pedicels of flowers hold individual flowers in place, but how they perform that depends on the structure of the inflorescence. The chief function of pedicels is to expose flowers to the sun and wind and put them in a position so that their fragrance and colour attract pollinating agents like insects, birds, etc., more easily.

Note: The main difference between pedicel and peduncle is that pedicel is the stalk that holds an individual flower, while peduncle is the main stalk that holds a complete inflorescence. Moreover, the length of the pedicels varies according to types of inflorescences.