Gynoecium

Definition of Gynoecium

The female reproductive organ of the flower.

More About Gynoecium

  • The flower is made up of 4 whorls namely calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium
  • Gynoecium also known as ‘Pistil’ is the female reproductive whorl of the flower
  • It consists of female reproductive organ known as Carpels
  • Stamens and Carpel are present in a typical ‘dioecious’ flower
  • In ‘monoecious’ flower only carpels or stamens may be present
  • When only carpels are present, such flowers are called gynoecius flower
  • A carpel is a ‘megasporophyll‘ that ovules attached inside
  • The pollen (male gametophyte) germinates on the outside, grows into the carpel, and fertilizes the ovules
  • The number, size and shape of carpelvary for different flower
  • Each carpel consists of
  • 1) Ovary:
    • The ovary is the enlarged terminal portion
      It is known as megasporophyll
      It consists of female reproductive cells called ovules

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    2) Style :
    • It is the filamentous stalk that connects the ovary and the stigma
      It facilitates the growth of the pollen tube for helping the male gamete to the ovule
      3) Stigma: It is present at the distal end of the carpel
      It receives the pollen grains and directs it towards the ovary through style 

Questions based on Gynoecium

1) Which among the following are the sexual parts of the Flower?

a) Calyx
b) Androecium
c) Gynoeicum
d) Both b & c

Solution: (d) Androecium and Gynoecium are sexual parts of the flower

2) Which among the following is not the part of the Gynoecium?

a) Ovary
b) Style
c) Anther
d) Stigma

Solution: (c) Anther is a part of stamen, a unit of Androecium