observing the structure of datura flower
Answers
Here is the observation..
Taking a flower in hand we can observe its different parts. Let us see what parts are there in a'datura [Dhutura] flower. Different parts of Datura flower from out side are:
1. There is a green slender stalk (Pedicel) at the base of the flower the pedicel is swollen. On this swollen part other whorls of the flower are arranged. This part is called thalamus. Thalamus is present in all flowers but all flower not have pedicel. Flower with pedicel is called pedicelate (e.g. Datura, China-rose) and flower without pedicel is called sessile [e.g. Colocasia (Kachu), Polianthus (Rajanigandha)]
Function: To hold other parts of the flower and to attach a sessile flower withstem.
2. Out side the flower there is a green tubelike structure at the base. Top of this tube is splitted into five,segments. From this it is understood that these five segments are combined together to form the tube. This outer green whorl of the flower is called the Calyx. Each of the five parts that comprises the calyx is called a sepal. Sepals may be united together (as in Datura) or may be separated (as in Brassica). In China-rose (Jaba) outside the calyx there is another whorl like the calyx called Epicalyx.
Function: To protect other internal parts in the bud from adverse externalenvironment
3. Next to, petals combined together, to make the corolla. Usually corolla is the show part of the flower. Petals may be united (as in Datura). or may separate from each other [as in Brassica (Sharisha)].
Function: To attract insects and to protect internal parts of the flower.
4. Inside the corolla there is five rod like organ attached at the base. Each of these organs is called Stamen. Each stamen is divided into two parts the slender part is the filament and swollen part at the top is the anther. Inside anther there lies pollen grains. The total stamens of a flower collectively form a whorl, which is called the Androecium.
Function: Main function of the Androecium is to produce pollen grains.
5. The central part of the flower is the Carpel. Swollen part at the base of carpel is the Ovary, long slender part at the middle is the Style and lobbed part at the top is the Stigma. Inside the ovary there are small round parts call Ovules. Ovules later develop to seeds. In Datura flower there are two carpels united together. The whorl of a flower that is formed by one or more carpel called the Gynoecium. The ovary of a flower develops to a fruit. In china-rose five carpels are united to forms the gynoecium.
Function: Functions of the gynoecium is to produce fruits and seeds.
From the above discussion it is understood that a Datura flower has five parts namely: l.thalamus, 2. calyx, 3. corolla,4. androecium or male whorl and (5. gynoecium or female whorl. Among these thalamus is an axis on which other four whorls are arranged.
Just like all other flowers, the flower of Datura is a complete flower. It has a white cremsih color funnel shape. After observing flower of Datura this what we found:
- Pedicel- A stem of the flower is called Pedicel.
- Thalamus- Thalamus is a disc like region on which flower is placed.
- Calyx- It has five green colored leafy sepals it
- Corolla- It is the cremish color flower composed of petals appear on pedicel
- Andorecium- it is the male reproductive part of the plant. It has 5 stamens which are further categorized into 2 parts; anther and filament. In Datura flower the filaments remain attached to petals whereas the anthers stay free
- Pistil- It is the female reproductive part. There are 2 carpels which forms a tube which has a thick swollen region called ovary. The ovary has two other parts stigma and style.