PARTS OF THE FLOWER 11 
Functionally, the flower may be defined as the organ which has 
to do with seed production. Flowers which have been so modi- 
fied through cultivation that they no longer produce seed are not 
true flowers. However, the true function of the flower is often 
not the important feature to the plant grower. Many flowers 
are cultivated entirely for their esthetic charm. In case of 
fruit trees, Tomatoes, and many other plants, the structure 
developing from the flower and 
known as the fruit is more 
important to the plant grower 
than the seed. However, when 
plants are grown for seed or 
fruit, the amount of seed or fruit 
harvested depends very much 
upon the number of flowers pro- 
duced. For example, the gar- 
dener does not expect to gather 
many Beans or Peas if the ae 
vines produce only a few flowers. wheat. c, calyx; s, stamens; 7, pistil; 
é : r,receptacle. Muchenlarged. After 
Likewise, good crops of Clover Marchand. 
and Alfalfa seed depend upon a 
good crop of flowers; and not much fruit is expected when the 
flowers in the orchard are few. It is in connection with the 
function of reproduction, that flowers have developed the various 
colors, forms, and odors which assist in bringing about fertiliza- 
tion, the central feature of sexual reproduction to which the 
flower is devoted, and the process upon which the development 
of seed usually depends. 
Despite the multitudinous forms and colors which flowers 
present, there is much unity and simplicity in structure, all parts 
being organized to assist in performing the function of seed 
production. 
Parts of the Flower. — The parts of a flower are of two general 
kinds; those which are directly concerned in the production of 
seed; and those which act as protective and attractive organs. 
The former are known as the essential organs, and consist of 
stamens and pistils. The latter are known as floral envelopes 
or perianth, and usually consist of two sets of organs, one called 
calyx and the other, corolla. In Figure 2, the calyx is the lowest 
whorl and consists of green leaf-like portions called sepals. The 
Fic. 3. — Apetalous flower of Buck- 
