Petals

Definition of Petals

Colourful modified leaves of the flower.

They are the most prominent, bright and colourful part of the flower
They constitute the whorl next to the calyx, the outermost whorl of the flower
All the petals are collectively form a ‘corolla’ of the flower
They are present next to the sepals
The colour and shape of the petal varies differently according to the plant species
They may be pink, red, yellow, purple, orange or a combination of any of the colours together
The colour of the petals helps to attract the birds, bees and other insects that help for pollination
The number of petals of a flower also varies from 3, 4, 5 or multiples of them
The number of petals is important characteristics for the plant classification.
If all the petals are similar in the size and shape, the flower is known as regular or actinomorphic flower.
If the flowers are symmetrical in only one plane, then they are said to be irregular or zygomorphic.
In some plants the sepals and the petals of the flowers cannot be distinguished as they have the same colour and shape. For example Tulips.
Such flowers are known to have tepals, instead of sepals and petals.

1) To which whorl of the flower do the petals include?

a) Calyx
b) Corolla
c) Androcoeium
d) Gynoecium

Solution: (b) The petals are the units of corolla, a whorl inner next to calyx

2) Which among the following is the most bright and colourful part of the flower?

a) Pollen
b) Sepals
c) Petals
d) Calyx

Solution: (c) The petals are the most bright and colourful part of flower