Flowers are the most attractive, reproductive and the major part of all vascular plants. There are many important parts of the flower, which are involved in their functioning. A well-developed flower consists of two main parts- Vegetative Part and Reproductive Part. Other major parts of a flower include sepals, petals, stamens, pistils, anther, stigma, style, anther, ovule and so on.
Flowering plants are the most diverse group of land plants with 300,000 known species. Based on certain important features, the flower can be classified into:
- Complete flower – A flower which consists of sepals, petals, stamens and pistils.
- In Complete Flower – flower which lacks one or more of these parts.
- Gynoecium — They are female reproductive parts of a flower.
- Androecium — They are male reproductive parts of a flower.
Apart from these types, there are some plants, which do not ever produce flowers. While others produce flowers throughout their lifespan. Flowering plants are also called Angiosperms. They are the most advanced and beneficial group of plants and this include- rose, lily, marigold, tulips, etc. Non-flowering plants are also called Gymnosperms. Ferns, Psilotales and mosses are the best examples of non-flowering plants.
From adding fragrance and natural flavours, flowers have a great significance for humans.
Here are some important points about how flowers help the environment and how they are beneficial for human life.
Importance of Flowers
- Flowers are used as a great source of food. Broccoli is a flower, widely used as a vegetable in sandwiches.
- There are wide varieties of spices which are extracted from flowers and some are directly used as dried flower buds. Saffron strands, cloves are examples of some spices obtained from flowers.
- There are few species of plants, whose flowers release toxic substances, which kills weeds and other unwanted plants growing around it.
- Flowers are also helpful to the environment. As some flowers release more than 30 percent of oxygen into the environment. Some of the flowering plants also fight soil erosion and contribute to the fertility of the soil.
- There are many flowers, which are used in the production of fragrant sprays, perfumes, soaps, incense sticks, oils, glue and in the production of cosmetics.
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