The structure of orchid flowers

Kurzweil H., . (2005) The structure of orchid flowers. [Proceedings Paper]

Ever since the earliest days of botanical exploration man has been immensely fascinated by the orchids. Much has been written about the orchid flowers and their complicated architecture which has evolved in adaptation to specific pollination modes. Nevertheless the flower structure is often not clearly understood by the non-botanist. The present paper aims at an explanation of the complicated structure incorporating recent research results. Orchid flowers are zygomorphic irregular in their symmetry are normally bisexual and mostly resupinate lip facing down. The part of the orchid flower that attracts most attention is the perianth comprising the sepals petals and lip. However the most vital part of the orchid flower is the gynostemium column in the centre of the flower which is a fused entity containing the male pollen-producing as well as the female receptive organs. Both of the latter organ-complexes are highly modified: mostly only one stamen is fertile and the remaining ones are frequently visible as staminodes rudimentary stamens part of the median stigma lobe has evolved into the sterile rostellum which serves as the place of attachment of the pollinia.

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Abstract

Ever since the earliest days of botanical exploration man has been immensely fascinated by the orchids. Much has been written about the orchid flowers and their complicated architecture which has evolved in adaptation to specific pollination modes. Nevertheless the flower structure is often not clearly understood by the non-botanist. The present paper aims at an explanation of the complicated structure incorporating recent research results. Orchid flowers are zygomorphic irregular in their symmetry are normally bisexual and mostly resupinate lip facing down. The part of the orchid flower that attracts most attention is the perianth comprising the sepals petals and lip. However the most vital part of the orchid flower is the gynostemium column in the centre of the flower which is a fused entity containing the male pollen-producing as well as the female receptive organs. Both of the latter organ-complexes are highly modified: mostly only one stamen is fertile and the remaining ones are frequently visible as staminodes rudimentary stamens part of the median stigma lobe has evolved into the sterile rostellum which serves as the place of attachment of the pollinia.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Summary En
AGROVOC Term:	ORCHIDACEAE
AGROVOC Term:	FLOWERS
AGROVOC Term:	PERIANTH
AGROVOC Term:	COROLLA
AGROVOC Term:	CALYX
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16537

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