The pistil, also known as the carpel, is the seed-bearing female part of a flower, typically located in the center. It's the innermost structure responsible for producing seeds.
Understanding the Pistil/Carpel
The pistil can be a single unit or composed of multiple fused carpels. It consists of three main parts:
- Ovary: The swollen base of the pistil where ovules (which develop into seeds after fertilization) are located.
- Style: A stalk-like structure that connects the ovary to the stigma.
- Stigma: The sticky, pollen-receptive tip of the pistil where pollination occurs. Pollen grains land on the stigma and then travel down the style to fertilize the ovules in the ovary.
Carpel as a Component of the Pistil
The term "carpel" can refer to the individual units that, when fused together, form a compound pistil. A flower can have a single carpel (simple pistil) or multiple carpels fused to form a single pistil (compound pistil).
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Function | Female reproductive part of a flower, responsible for seed production. |
| Main Parts | Ovary, style, and stigma. |
| Carpel | The basic unit of the pistil; can be single or multiple and fused together. |
| Location | Typically found at the center of the flower. |
Summary
In summary, the pistil is the female reproductive organ of a flower. It's essentially the same as a carpel, or it's a structure composed of one or more fused carpels. Its function is to receive pollen, facilitate fertilization, and ultimately produce seeds within the ovary.
