A Comprehensive Guide to Flower Parts for Elementary Students
Flowers come in all shapes and sizes. They can be many different colors and have many different smells. They can even grow at different times of the year. There are many small parts that make up the inside of a flower, and when they work together, they become the beautiful plants so many people love. Flowers can be male or female (boys or girls) depending on what kind of parts they have. Sometimes, flowers can have both male and female parts inside them! This guide will help explain what those different parts of the flower are called and what they do to help the flower grow and live.
Peduncle – The peduncle is also known as the stalk of the flower. It is the long green stem of the flower. The peduncle is the part of the flower that most people hold when giving someone a bunch of flowers. The peduncle's job is to support the flower. It also helps to deliver nutrients to the flower from the roots in the ground. Both male and female flowers have peduncles.
Receptacle - The receptacle is the thicker part of the flower stem. It can be found at the top of the peduncle. The receptacle sits underneath the petals, at the base of the flower. The receptacle is very important because it holds all of the important organs of the flower. Other outside parts of the flower also attach to the flower at the receptacle.
Sepal – The sepals are small and green. They look like little green leaves. The sepals can be found outside of the flower bud. Their job is very important because they have to protect the flower bud before it blooms. When the flower blooms, the sepals open up. A bunch of sepals together are called a calyx.
Petal – Petals on a flower are the part that is most recognizable. They are the colorful part of the flower and can be found on top of the peduncle, above the sepals. When most people pick their favorite flowers, they pick their favorite by looking at the petals. Petals can come in many different sizes and colors. Some of them have nectar inside them. Petals can also have different kinds of smells, depending on the type of flower. The petals attract pollinators, like bees and other insects. The pollinators spread pollen particles from plant to plant, which help more plants to grow. Petals in a group are also called corollas.
Stamen – The stamen is found inside male flowers. It holds the anther and filament. Together, they are responsible for making pollen grains. The anther is on top and it holds the pollen grains. The filament is on the bottom and connects the anther to the receptacle. The pollen grains are yellow particles that look like yellow dust. Insects or the wind pass on the pollen dust to pistils, and that is how pollination happens.
Pistil – The pistil is found in female flowers. Sometimes the pistil is called a carpel. Inside the pistil, the stigma, style, and ovary can be found. Pistils look like small rolled up leaves and depending on the kind of flower, there can be one or more pistils inside them. The stigma is the sticky bulb that can be seen in the center of the flower. The stigma sits on top of a long stalk called the style. The ovary can be found at the bottom of the flower plant. The ovary has seeds or ovules inside of it.
There are a few different types of flowers, but the two main ones are called Perfect Flowers and Imperfect Flowers. Perfect Flowers have both male parts and female parts inside of them. That means a perfect flower will have pistils and stamen inside of it. Some examples of Perfect Flowers are roses, lilacs, carnations, and lilies. Imperfect Flowers are flowers that have either male parts or female parts, but not both. Male flowers are called Staminate Flowers. Female flowers are called Pistillate Flowers. Some examples of imperfect flowers are the flowers that can be found on crab apple, melon, cucumber, or squash plants.
Below are some resources and activities that can be used to help better understand the different flower parts.
Flower Parts Diagram
Parts of a Flower Worksheet
Flower Dissection Activity
Pollination Activity Book from the University of Illinois
Life Cycle of Flowers Game for Kids
Flower Anatomy Activity
Drawings of Different Kinds of Flower Parts
Flower Activity for Elementary Students
Art Activity Ideas for Teaching About Flowers and Plants
Types of Flowers
A Look at A Perfect Flower
Exploring Flowers Activities from PBS
