BOTANY Higher Secondary Second Year - Textbooks Online

Gynoecium
Absent but pistillode is present.
Floral formula
Br., Ebrl., , , P 3+3 , A 3+3 , G 0.
Female flower
Bracteate, ebracteolate, sessile, pistillate, incomplete, trimerous,
actinomorphic and hypogynous.
Perianth
Tepals 6 arranged in two whorls of three each, persistent, and
polyphyllous showing imbricate aestivation in both the whorls. The inner
posterior tepal is completely outside.
Androecium
Absent but staminodes are present.
Gynoecium
Ovary superior, tricarpellary and syncarpous. Ovary trilocular with
single ovule showing axile placentation. Style is absent and stigmas three.
Out of three carpels, two become abortive.
Fruit
Fibrous drupe with stony endocarp.
Seed
With small embryo and abundant endosperm.
Floral formula
Br., Ebrl., , , P 3+3 , A 0 , G (3).
Economic importance
1. Edible products
The fluid of tender fruit of Cocos nucifera (kalpa vriksha – coconut
palm) is sweet and refreshing drink. The boiled young seedlings of Borassus
flabellifer (palmyra palm) are edible and its fruits are eaten raw.
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