Question

Describe vexillary aestivation with a suitable example.

Answer 1

Example- peas. In some flowers like pea flower, the largest petal overlaps the two lateral petals which in turn overlap the two smallest anterior petals; this type of aestivation is called VEXILLARY aestivation.

Answer 2

Aestivation is the arrangement of the floral parts within a bud, before it blooms into a flower.

Vexillary aestivation is the special arrangement where one large petal covers the other smaller petals.

The larger petal is called vexillum, while the two laterally placed, curved petals are termed as wings.

The two innermost, boat-shaped petals are called keels in this aestivation.

The plants of Papilionaceae or legume family exhibit the ideal examples of vexillary aestivation.