Parts of a Plant

The Flower

The flower is the main reproductive part of a plant. It produces seeds from which young plants grow and develop. A f lower has several parts.

The stamen is the male reproductive part of the flower. It consists of the fi lament and the anther. The fi lament is the thin stalk that holds the anther, which bears the pollen grains. The pistil is the female reproductive part. It contains the stigma, the sticky part that traps the pollen grains; the ovary, which contains the ovule; and the style, a stalk that connects the stigma to the ovary. The ovary later becomes the fruit while the ovule becomes the seed.

The sepals are small, green, leaflike structures that cover and protect the bud and hold the petals together. The petals are the colorful parts of the flower that attract insects. Their fragrance is used to produce essential oils for perfumes. The base of the petals contains sweet fluid called nectar, which attracts insects such as bees and butterflies.

The Fruit

The fruit is the part that contains the seeds. The seed is the part that grows and develops into a new plant. The fruits of plants differ in shape, size, color, and texture.