LECTURE 7: Floral formula Floral formula: it is a very useful short . . . LECTURE 7: Floral formula Floral formula: it is a very useful short-hand method of recording floral structure and is the numerical representation of various floral parts Floral formula also depicts the inter- relationship, symmetry, bi-sexuality and unisexuality of the flowers Floral formula 1 Calyx =K 2 Corolla = C 3, Perianth =P ( if K and C are not separable) 3 Androecium =A 4 Gynoecum = G 5 Calyx with 5 fused sepals = K(5) 6 Corolla with 5 free petals = C5 7 Gynoecium is made of 2 free carpels and ovary superior = G2 8 Gynoecium is made of 1 carpel with inferior ovary = G1 9 Perianth made of 2 fused tepals P(2) 10 Adhension between calyx gynoecuim= K5G1 11 Infinite Number (Usualy more than 10) = x 12 Mother axis = - 13 Regular (Actinomorphic) = ɵ 14 Irregular (zygomorphic) = % 15 Bisexual = ♂ 16 Unisexual Staminate = ♂ 17 Unisexual pistilate = ♀ 18 Absence or suppression of stamens and pistil = X Examples 1 Family = Malvaleae e g Hibiscus: ɵ, ♂, K(5) C(5) A(α) G(5-α) Regular, bisexual, calyx made of 5 fused sepals, corolla made of 5 fused petals, Androcieum made of infinite number of stamens Gynoecium made of 5 to infinite number of fused carpels with superior ovary 2 Family ; Caesalpiniaceae e g Casia Angustifolia delonic, regia, Flame of forest Floral Formula = %, ♂, K5, C5, A10, G1 Irregular, bisexual, calyx made of five free sepals, corolla made of five free petals Androecium made of 10 free stamens and Gynoecium made of one carpel with superior ovary 3 Family; Mimosaceae e g Mimosa Pudica, Acacia nitolica − floral formula; ɵ ♂ K(4-5), C(4-5), Aα or few G1 Regular, bisexual, calyx made of 4-5 fused sepals, corolla made of 4 to 5 fused petals Androecium made of infinite number of free stamens or few Gynoecium made of one free carpel with superior ovary Family: %, ♂ K(5), C5, A(9)+1, G1 e g Crotolaria retusa, Vigna unguiculata, Arachis hypogeal floral formula; Irregular, bisexual, calyx made of 5 fused sepals, corolla made of 5 free petals Androecium made of 9 fused stamens and one free stamen and Gynoecium with one carpel with superior ovary