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Flowers & Fruits |
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The Flower represents the
most important
reproductive adaptation for plants.
The Ovules of the flower are enclosed by the Ovary Wall or Pericarp.
This Protects and Nourishes them during their development and maturation.
Furthermore, the Pericarp becomes the principal part of the Fruit.
Fruits not only add another protective layer but they also have specific adaptations for Seed Dispersal via Biotic and Abiotic agents.
Ancestral (Primitive) Flowers contained many
Sterile (Sepals & Petals) and Fertile (Stamens & Carpels) Elements and relied on wind or water
for fertilization and seed
dispersal.
Derived (Advanced) Flowers have few but highly specialized adaptations for Fertilization & Dispersal.
The successful, rapid evolutionary explosion of Angiosperms could not have occurred without the advent of the flower.
The table below contains a few example of flowers which have various mixtures of Ancestral and Derived Traits. The Ancestral flowers are on the top-left and the Derived are towards the right-bottom.
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 Anemone is a member of the Ranunculaceae & relies on wind pollination. However, even unspecialized flowers may be visited by pollinators.  This bee is having a grand old time gathering nectar from this Russian thistle & is pollinating it in the process.  Potentilla, a member of the Rosaceae has Many Stamens and Many Carpels.  Franklinia a species in the Magnolia family. Named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, this species was barely saved from extinction. Note the many Stamens! |
 Aristolochia has an extremely complex interrelationship with small flies that are lured inside and held captive until the flower matures and is pollinated successfully! 
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 Members of the Milkweed Family have highly specialized flowers that have co-evolved with specific insects who efficiently pollinate its flowers.
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