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Floral formula  [ Botany ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

     
  A floral formula is a system of representing the structure of a flower using specific letters, numbers, and symbols.  
     
Typically, a general formula will be used to represent the flower structure of a plant family rather than a particular species. The following representations are used:

CaX = Calyx (sepal whorl) X = number of sepals (e.g. Ca5 = 5 sepals)
CoX = Corolla (petal whorl) X = number of petals (e.g., Co3(x) = petals some multiple of three )
Z = add if Zygomorphic (e.g., CoZ6 = zygomorphic with 6 petals)
AX = Androecium (whorl of stamens) X = number of stamens (e.g., A = many stamens)
GX = Gynoecium (ovary bearing carpels) X = number of carpels: if one, termed 'monocarpous', if two or more and free or distinct, termed 'apocarpous', if two or more and fused, termed 'syncarpous' or connate. (e.g., G1 = monocarpous)

A floral formula would appear something like this:

Ca5Co5A10-∞G1

Other key used in Floral Formulas:

CaCo perianth; if sepals and petals are alike termed 'tepals'.

=  adnate; or fusion of two different floral whorls
= 'hypanthium' when all whorls are present. Especially frequent in the Rosidae. The floral whorls are perigynous to the gynoecium, which is still considered superior to them.

X   - to represent a "variable number"
- to represent "many"

X - X = variation in number in that family

X = X = Like floral parts in two whorls 

= fully fused or connate, especially in reference to the carpels of the gynoecium. If carpel # has no fusion symbol, carpels are free and distinct. 

= apically fused or connate

= basally fused or connate

= fully distinct or fused; variation within a family
 

= male unisexual flower

= female unisexual flower


= hermaphrodite bisexual flowers

 

* = staminode; a sterile stamen

= ovary inferior to insertion point of the other whorls. The floral whorls are epigynous to the gynoecium.

= ovary superior to insertion point of other floral whorls. The floral whorls are hypogenous to the gynoecium.

= ovary inferior to superior - variation exists

For example the floral formula of the Cactaceae Family is:

   
     

 


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Holdfast roots  [ Botany  ]

Dictionary of botanic terminology - index of names

 
     
  Some species of climbing plants develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place.  
     
Climbing plants, like the poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Boston ivy (Parthenocissus tricuspidata), and trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans),  develop holdfast roots which help to support the vines on trees, walls, and rocks. By forcing their way into minute pores and crevices, they hold the plant firmly in place. Usually the Holdfast roots die at the end of the first season, but in some species they are perennial. In the tropics some of the large climbing plants have hold-fast roots by which they attach themselves, and long, cord-like roots that extend downward through the air and may lengthen and branch for several years until they strike the soil and become absorbent roots.

Major references and further lectures:
1) E. N. Transeau “General Botany” Discovery Publishing House, 1994
     

 

 

 

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