Monocotyledons (monocots) and dicotyledons (dicots) make up the two large groups of flowering plants, differentiated by their seed structures. Monocot seeds contain one cotyledon, or embryonic leaf. When these seeds germinate, the cotyledon remains below ground, absorbing nutrients from the endosperm, the starchy food supply in the seed. The coytledon transports these nutrients to the developing seedling. Dicot seeds contain two coytledons, which absorb and store the nutrients from the endosperm before the seed germinates. The cotyledons, thick with stored nutrients, emerge above ground during germination, and then transport the stored nutrients to the developing seedling. For a brief time, the cotyledons also serve as the first photosynthesizing leaves, but they wither and die when the true leaves emerge. Dicot seeds are consist of two parts called cotyledon. Because of two cotyledons in a dicot seed it is known as dicotyledon. It helps to provide the food to the growing young plant. Example of dicotyledon seeds is bean. Monocot seeds are those seeds which are consist of only one cotyledon that's why they are known as monocotyledon. Seed of corn is an example of monocot seeds. Structure of Flowers There are all sorts of flower shapes, sizes, colors and arrangements, however there are a few features that are central to all flowers regardless of their form. A flower starts as an embryonic primordium that develops into a bud and is situation as a specialized branch at the end of a stalk called the peduncle. The receptacle is a small pad-like swollen area on the very top of the peduncle. This serves as the platform for the flower parts. Whorls, which are three or more plant parts, are attached to the receptacle. The sepals are the outermost whorl and are usually green. Sometimes they are confused with leaves. They are usually three to five in number and are collectively referred to as the calyx. The second whorl of flower parts are the petals and are collectively referred to as the corolla. The corolla is usually extra-showy in order to attract pollinators. In wind-pollinated plants the corolla may be missing to maximize pollen exposure to the female flower parts. Just as the sepals in the calyx, the petals in the corolla may be fused together or separate individual units. Nestled inside the two outer whorls are the sexual organs of the flower. The stamens entail the male structures: a semi rigid filament with a sac called the anther dangling from the tip. Pollen grains develop in the anthers (a process which we will discuss in further detail in a later tutorial). Most anthers have slits or pores on the sides to accommodate pollen release. The female organs are collectively referred to as the pistil and includes: a ‘landing pad’ at the top called the stigma, a slender stalk like style that leads down to the swollen base called the ovary. The ovary is what will develop/ripen into a fruit. As you might have guessed, there are names for the different ways that the flower parts are arranged with respect to the ovary. The ovary is said to be superior if the calyx and corolla are attached to the receptacle at the base of the ovary. However, if the receptacle grows up and around the ovary and the calyx and corolla are attached above it, then the ovary is said to be inferior. Inside the ovary is an egg-shaped ovule which is held in place within the ovary by means of a short stalk. The ovule is what develops into a seed. Fruits have seeds. Some flowers are produced all alone, while others are produced in clusters called inflorescences. An inflorescence is characterized by one peduncle with many little stalks serving individual flowers. The little stalks, in this case, are called pedicels and each stalk services one flower. Fruits A fruit is a mature, or ripened, ovary that usually contains seeds. In contrast, a vegetable can consist of leaves (lettuce, cabbage), leaf petioles (celery), specialized leaves (onions), stems (white potato), stems and roots (beets), flowers and their peduncles (broccoli), flower buds (globe artichokes) and or other parts of the plant. A fruit is by definition just the ovary part of a flower, therefore all fruits come exclusively from flowering plants. Fruit Regions A fruit, ripened ovary, has three major regions that are sometimes difficult to distinguish from each other. The outer layer, sometimes referred to as the skin, is actually called the exocarp. The mesocarp is the fleshy portion which is usually eaten when consuming fruit. The endocarp is the innermost boundary around the seed. Sometimes the endocarp is hard and stony such as a peach pit that surrounds the seed. The endocarp can also be papery as in apples, where it is barely visible in cross section. All three of these regions; the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp, are collectively called the pericarp. The pericarp can be quite thin, as is the case with dry fruits. Some fruits have flower parts modified or fused to the ovary at maturity. Fruits are classified according to features at maturity: fleshy, dry, split exposing seeds, non-splitting, one ovary or multiple ovaries. We will go through these various classifications and see what examples fall into the various categories. Kinds of Fruits Fleshy fruits—these fruits have a mesocarp that is at least partially fleshy at maturity. Simple Fleshy Fruits—Fruits develop from a flower with a single pistil. The ovary may be simple, meaning derived from one modified leaf called a carpel, or compound. The ovary also may be superior or inferior and may develop into a fruit with or without other flower parts integrated. Drupe— Drupes are simple fleshy fruits with one seed encased in a stony pit. Usually the ovary is a superior ovary with one ovule. The stone fruits—cherries, peaches, olives, apricots and almonds—are examples. Although, not readily recognized as a fleshy fruit, coconuts are drupes. The husk is the mesocarp and exocarp which is generally removed before making it to the market. The pit with the watery seed endosperm is what we see piled up at the store. Berry—These develop from a compound ovary and usually contain multipleseeds. It is difficult to distinguish the three regions. This group is broken down further into three types of berries: True berries are fruits with a thin skin and a pericarp. They are generally soft at maturity and usually have multiple seeds although dates and avocados are notable exceptions. Some berries have incorporated flower parts which can be seen in remnant as scars. Examples are tomatoes, grapes, peppers, blueberries, cranberries, bananas and eggplants. Note that botanically speaking raspberries, strawberries and blackberries are not berries. Pepos are berry fruits with thick rinds. They have multiple seeds and include pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupes and squashes. Finally, the hesperidium is a leathery skinned berry that contains oils. Saclike outgrowths of the inner ovary wall become filled with juice as the ovary matures. All members of the Citrus Family produce hesperidium fruits. Pome—The majority of the flesh in pomes comes from the swollen receptacle that grows up and around the ovary (inferior ovary). The seeds are encased by a leathery or papery endocarp. Apples are good examples and the apple core is the ovary with seeds, and the rest if overgrowth of receptacle. (Sometimes these fruits that are derived from more than the ovary are called accessory fruits.) Examples of pomes include: apples, pears and quinces. Aggregate fruit—These fruits come from a single flower with multiple pistils. The individual pistils start as tiny drupes or other fruitlets, but at maturity they cluster on a single receptacle. Examples are strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Multiple fruit—Several of many flowers in a single inflorescence will develop into a multiple fruit. The flowers develop separately into fruitlets on their own receptacles, but at maturity they will cluster together and develop into a larger single fruit. Pineapples and figs are good examples, although the fig develops from a unique “outside in” inflorescence. Dry fruits—Mesocarp is dry at maturity. Dry fruits that split at maturity: distinguished by the way in which they split. Follicle—Splits along one side, or one seam. Ex: larkspur, milkweed Legume—Splits along two sides or seams. Ex: Peas, beans, kudzu, peanuts, carob Silique—split along two sides or seams, the difference from legumes is that the seeds are carried on a central partition which is exposed upon splitting. Ex: Mustard Family, including broccoli, cabbage, radish, watercress Capsule—Most common of splitting dry fruit. Composed of two carpels and split in a variety of ways: along carpel partitions, through carpel cavities, pores or via a cap that pops off to release seeds. Ex: irises, poppies, orchids, violets and snapdragons. Dry fruits that do not split at maturity: the single seed is more or less united with the pericarp. Achene—seed is attached to the pericarp (husk in this case) only at the bottom, and can be separated easily. Ex: sunflower seeds (husk, plus edible seed constitutes the achene), buttercup and buckwheat. Nut—the pericarp of nuts are generally harder than the achenes, although they are otherwise quite similar in structure. Nuts develop with a cup or cluster or bracts at their base. Ex: hazelnuts, hickory nuts and chestnuts. Note that botanically speaking most things called ‘nuts’ are not nuts such as peanuts (legume), coconuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans (all drupes) Brazil nuts (capsule) and pistachios (drupes). Yet another misnomer commonly accepted. Grain—Grains are all of the Grass Family and feature a pericarp that cannot be separated from the seed. Ex. Corn, wheat, barley, rice, and oats. The grains are also called caryopses. Samara—pericarp extends as a wing or membrane which aids in dispersal. Usually samaras are produced in pairs, although elms and ash trees produce them singly. These are the ‘helicopters’ that I am certain we all have played with at one point or another. Ex: maple trees Schizocarp—schizocarps are the twin fruits, as at maturity the fruit dries out and breaks into two one-seeded segments. Ex: carrots, dill, parsley and anise. Fruit and Seed Dispersal There are a variety of methods that will get seeds from the ovary to a fertile spot to begin germinating and growing. Not all methods will work for every plant and some plants are very method specific. Dispersal by Wind The wind can carry light seeds for miles and most seeds and fruits relying on wind dispersal have specialized adaptations. The samaras with their wings and membranes are highly ideal fruits for wind dispersal. Some fruits are too large to be carried in the air, but can be rolled along by the wind. Cottony or woolly hair type adaptations as in the Willow Family, enable better transfer of seeds via the wind. Tumbleweed plants break off and blow along in the wind, all the while dispersing seeds as it bumps along. Dispersal by Animals There are so many adaptations for the dispersal of seeds by animals that it would take a volume or two to discuss them all. Birds can carry seeds in the mud that they pick up on their feet. Seeds pass through digestive tracts and are deposited randomly by animals. Ants carry collect and carry seeds. Some seeds will not germinate unless they have passed through the acidic environment of a digestive tract. Fur and feathers can trap seeds and some seeds have burrowing type screws or hooks to ensure getting caught on something and carried along. Dispersal by Water Some fruits contain trapped air and are thus adapted to dispersal by water. Some pericarps are thick and spongy enough to absorb water slowly and will thus protect the tiny embryo held within. Saltwater dispersed plants generally have these type pericarps and survival requires washing up on a beach somewhere before the saltwater reaches the inside of the seed.

orchids lilies