Calyx and Corolla
Description of the outermost two whorls, sepals (calyx) and petals (corolla), including their fusion (gamosepalous/polysepalous, gamopetalous/polypetalous) and shapes of corolla.
What is Calyx and Corolla?
The outermost whorl of a flower, consisting of the sepals.
Key points
- Identify and describe the calyx and corolla.
- Differentiate between polysepalous/gamosepalous and polypetalous/gamopetalous conditions.
- Recognize and name different shapes of the corolla.
- Understand the functions of the calyx and corolla.
Common exam trap
Confusing the functions of calyx and corolla.
Definitions
- Term
Calyx
- Meaning
The outermost whorl of a flower, consisting of the sepals.
- Term
Corolla
- Meaning
The whorl of petals inside the calyx, typically coloured.
- Term
Sepal
- Meaning
A leaf-like structure that encloses the petals of a flower in the bud stage.
- Term
Petal
- Meaning
A modified leaf, often brightly coloured, that surrounds the reproductive parts of flowers.
- Term
Polysepalous
- Meaning
A condition where the sepals of a flower are free and not fused.
- Term
Gamosepalous
- Meaning
A condition where the sepals of a flower are fused together.
- Term
Polypetalous
- Meaning
A condition where the petals of a flower are free and not fused.
- Term
Gamopetalous
- Meaning
A condition where the petals of a flower are fused together.
- Term
Tubular Corolla
- Meaning
A gamopetalous corolla shaped like a tube.
- Term
Campanulate Corolla
- Meaning
A gamopetalous corolla shaped like a bell.
- Term
Infundibular Corolla
- Meaning
A gamopetalous corolla shaped like a funnel.
- Term
Rotate Corolla
- Meaning
A gamopetalous corolla shaped like a wheel, with a short tube and spreading lobes.
Learning objectives
Identify and describe the calyx and corolla.
Differentiate between polysepalous/gamosepalous and polypetalous/gamopetalous conditions.
Recognize and name different shapes of the corolla.
Understand the functions of the calyx and corolla.
Prerequisites
Basic flower anatomy (whorls, parts of a flower)
Understanding of plant reproduction
Common mistakes
Confusing the functions of calyx and corolla.
Not understanding the difference between 'poly-' and 'gamo-' prefixes in floral terms.
Forgetting the specific shapes associated with gamopetalous corollas.
Overlooking the protective role of the calyx in the bud stage.
Keywords
Calyx
Corolla
Sepals
Petals
Polysepalous
Gamosepalous
Polypetalous
Gamopetalous
Floral Whorls
Flower Anatomy
Pollination
Practice preview
A flower exhibits a corolla where the petals are distinct and not fused. This condition is known as:…
medium
The calyx is the outermost whorl of a flower. If all the sepals are free, the calyx is described as:…
easy
Which term describes a corolla where all the petals are fused together?…
easy