| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | [[Image:Flowers - Spring at the White House.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Flowers in the Rose Garden, The [[White House]]]] A '''flower''' is the bloom or blossom of a [[plant]], and the part of a seed plant comprising the reproductive organs. It can be an [[perfect flowers|perfect flower]] (capable of self-pollination) or an [[imperfect flowers|imperfect flower]]. A typical flower will have the male gametes, or [[pollen]], held on small stalks which make it easy for the pollen to leave the flower for [[pollination]], either via air currents or animal vectors ([[insect]], [[bird]]s, or [[beetle]]s). The female gametes, which are the future [[seed]]s, are contained in the base of the flower, and pollen grains that are transported there merge with them to form the next generation. | | [[Image:Flowers - Spring at the White House.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Flowers in the Rose Garden, The [[White House]]]] A '''flower''' is the bloom or blossom of a [[plant]], and the part of a seed plant comprising the reproductive organs. It can be an [[perfect flowers|perfect flower]] (capable of self-pollination) or an [[imperfect flowers|imperfect flower]]. A typical flower will have the male gametes, or [[pollen]], held on small stalks which make it easy for the pollen to leave the flower for [[pollination]], either via air currents or animal vectors ([[insect]], [[bird]]s, or [[beetle]]s). The female gametes, which are the future [[seed]]s, are contained in the base of the flower, and pollen grains that are transported there merge with them to form the next generation. |
| | | | |
| − | Plants that produce flowers are called [[flowering plant]]s, or angiosperms. <ref>[http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/botanicalsciences/plantreproduction/angiosperms/angiosperms.htm botanical sciences - angiosperms]</ref> Not all [[baraminology|kinds]] of plants are thus classified; for example, [[fern]]s produce [[spore]]s rather than flowers and are therefore not classified as angiosperms. | + | Plants that produce flowers are called [[flowering plant]]s, or angiosperms.<ref>[http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/botanicalsciences/plantreproduction/angiosperms/angiosperms.htm botanical sciences - angiosperms]</ref> Not all [[baraminology|kinds]] of plants are thus classified; for example, [[fern]]s produce [[spore]]s rather than flowers and are therefore not classified as angiosperms. |
| | | | |
| | Flowers, besides their botanical function, are often prized by humans for their beauty. Many plants have been selectively bred to produce flowers with great appeal to us. Perhaps the [[rose]] is the best example of this. | | Flowers, besides their botanical function, are often prized by humans for their beauty. Many plants have been selectively bred to produce flowers with great appeal to us. Perhaps the [[rose]] is the best example of this. |
| Line 12: |
Line 12: |
| | {{clear}} | | {{clear}} |
| | | | |
| − | == See Also == | + | == See also == |
| | [[File:Garden, Kolpino, Russia.jpg|thumb|Garden, Kolpino, [[Russia]].]] | | [[File:Garden, Kolpino, Russia.jpg|thumb|Garden, Kolpino, [[Russia]].]] |
| | *[[State flowers]] | | *[[State flowers]] |
| Line 26: |
Line 26: |
| | *[[Glossary of gardening terms]] | | *[[Glossary of gardening terms]] |
| | | | |
| − | == External Links == | + | == External links == |
| | * [http://www.britannica.com/search?query=flower Britannica Online] Flower | | * [http://www.britannica.com/search?query=flower Britannica Online] Flower |
| | | | |
| Line 32: |
Line 32: |
| | <references/> | | <references/> |
| | | | |
| − | [[Category : Gardening Glossary]] | + | [[Category:Gardening Glossary]] |
| − | [[Category : Botany]] | + | [[Category:Botany]] |
| − | [[Category : Flowers| ]] | + | [[Category:Flowers| ]] |
| − | [[Category : Gardening]] | + | [[Category:Gardening]] |