A syncarpous gynoecium describes a flower's pistil (the female reproductive part) where the carpels (the individual seed-bearing units) are fused together to form a compound ovary.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Carpel: The basic unit of the gynoecium, consisting of an ovary, style, and stigma. The ovary contains the ovules, which develop into seeds after fertilization.
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Gynoecium: The collective term for all the carpels in a flower.
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Syncarpous: This term specifically indicates that the carpels are joined or fused. This fusion occurs during development, resulting in a single ovary with multiple locules (chambers) or a single locule with parietal placentation (ovules attached to the ovary wall).
In simpler terms, imagine several individual compartments (carpels) in a flower merging to form a single, multi-chambered structure or a single chamber where the seeds are attached to the walls. That is a syncarpous ovary.
Examples of Syncarpous Ovaries:
- Tomato
- Citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons)
- Lily
The opposite of syncarpous is apocarpous, where the carpels are separate and distinct from each other within the gynoecium.
