Question

Explain 3 types of flowers based on the position of ovary? Give examples.

Answer 1

Hint: Ovary is the female reproductive part of the flower so its position in the flower is important. It may be present in the upper or lower location with respect to other floral parts like sepals and petals etc.

Complete answer:
On the basis of position of ovary or pistil in any flower with respect to other floral parts like sepal, petals stamens etc., flower may be classified into three categories

• Epigynous is a type of flower, the floral parts are located above the ovary and the ovary is present in the deep location of the flower. It is called an inferior ovary where the floral parts are attached at the top of the ovary. Examples of epigynous flower is apple (Mallus), orchids, fuschia, banana, sunflower etc.

• Perigynous is a type of flower, the floral parts are attached to the ovary almost at the mid part with the help of a cup shaped structure called as hypanthium. Hypanthium is inserted below the ovary. The ovary is semi superior. Examples of such flowers are peach, rose, prunus, cherry, plum, etc.

• Hypogynous is a type of flower the floral parts are attached to the lower side of the ovary to the receptacle. Hence the ovary is superior with respect to floral parts like sepal, petal, stamen etc. this type of flowers are found in tomato, tulip, china-rose, brinjal, mustard etc.

Note: Perianth is the outer part of any flower that contains sepals or calyx and petals or corolla. Receptacle is the part of a flower where all the parts of the flower are attached together. The cup shaped structure made by the fusion of basal structures of sepal, petals and stamens is called hypanthium.