Corolla of Flower – Meaning, Features, Variations and Functions

The Corolla of the Flower is the inner whorl that consists of colorful petals. It is located between the outermost whorl and the calyx of a flower. The petals of the corolla play an important role by attracting pollinators including bees, butterflies, and birds. It defines the overall appearance of a flower and also protects the reproductive organs of a flower.

The corolla’s color, shape, and fragrance contribute to the flower’s overall appearance, aid in species identification, and promote successful pollination. In this article, we will discuss the corolla of flowers with its features and functions in detail.

Corolla of Flower

Corolla is a collection of petals that displays the colour of a flower. It is a shield which protects the stamen and carpel of a flower. The corolla is an internal part of the calyx that is also referred to as the second whorl of the flower. In simple words, the corolla is the petals of a flower that protects the reproductive organs of a flower. Corollas can be classified into two major types further as mentioned below:

• Gamopetalous Corolla: These types of corolla are fused in nature. In simple words, this type of corolla is joined together to form a single structure that looks like a reverse bell.
• Polypetalous Corolla: These types of corolla are not fused. Petals are separated or scattered from each other and not connected.

Meaning of Corolla

The word “corolla” comes from the Latin word corona, which means “wreath or crown and represent the crowing portion of the flower. The corolla is the whorl of petals of flowers. It is the innermost part of a flower that also includes the outer whorl called the calyx. The corolla is usually colorful and plays a significant role to attract pollinators. Along with the calyx, the corolla forms the perianth, enveloping and protecting the reproductive organs. Ultimately the corolla of a flower leads to form of seeds and helps the plant to sustain its life cycle.

Corolla of Flower Diagram

The diagram of the flower showing corolla and its various parts is as follows:

Parts of Flower

A flower consists of four main parts: the reproductive organs, petals, sepals, and a stem. The reproductive organs include the male stamen, which produces pollen, and the female pistil, which contains the ovary. Petals, often brightly colored, attract pollinators, while sepals protect the developing bud. Together, these components play essential roles in the flower’s reproductive process. Here are the different parts of flowers as mentioned below.

• Peduncle: It is the flower’s stalk.
• Receptacle: It is the tiny area at the center of the flower’s base where the stalk is attached.
• Petals: The colorful part of the flower that attracts pollinators. The collection of petals is called the corolla.
• Sepals: Tiny leaf alike structure at the base of the petals that is known as the calyx. They protect the flower in the bud phase.
• Stamens: It is the male components of a flower, collectively called the androecium. It consists of two parts:
  • Filament: It is the slender and supportive structure of the stamen.
  • Anther: It is the pollen-bearing part of the stamen where pollen production takes place through meiosis.
• Pistil: It is the female components of a flower. It consists of four parts – Style, Stigma, Ovary, and Ovules. A collection of pistils is called the gynoecium.

Different Forms Of Corolla

Depending on the plant classification and nature, the formations of corolla can be different. Here are some different forms as mentioned below:

Gamopetalous Corolla

Gamopetalous Corolla are fused in nature. There are so many sub-types of Gamopetalous Corolla as mentioned here.

Forms	Type Name	Type Definition	Examples
Regular Forms	Tubular	The limbs are not spread. Corolla forms a tube-like structure.	Sunflower
	Funnel-shaped	These types of corollas have a funnel-like structure.	Datura
	Bell-shaped	These types of flowers have a bell-shaped structure and gradually widen upside down.	Physalis Plants
	Salver-shaped	The corolla tube is long and narrow.	Vinca rosea
	Urn-shaped	The corolla tube is inflated in the middle.	Kalanchoe pinnata
	Wheel-shaped	The corolla tube is shorter as compared to the hypocrateriform. The limb is present at a right angle of it.	Brinjal
Irregular Forms	Two-lipped	In this corolla, the limbs are unequal.	Leucas
	Strap-shaped	Around five petals together create a narrow tube at the base.	Ocimum
	Masked	It resembles the bilabiate. The mouth of the flower is closed and the two lips are so close together.	Antirrhinum

Polypetalous Corolla

In polypetalous corolla the petals are not fused. There are so many sub-types of Polypetalous Corolla as mentioned here.

Forms	Types	Definition	Examples
Regular Forms	Cruciform	There are around four free-clawed petals that create the shape of a cross.	Mustard
	Rosaceous	They are the five-petalled flowers that have tiny claws.	Wild Roses
	Caryophyllaceous	These flowers have five free-clawed petals with limbs.	Pink Flower
Irregular Forms	Papilionaceous	These flowers have an irregular corolla that resembles a butterfly and have five petals.	Beans

Features of Corolla of Flower

Here are some important features of corolla of a flower mentioned below:

• The corolla protects the flower’s essential whorls, such as the stamens and carpels.
• Petals are colorful due to some pigments including anthocyanin and carotenoids.
• The corolla is often brightly colored and fragrant, attracting insects for pollination. 
• Petals contain essential oils and for that they have fragrance.
• Nectar glands at the base of the corolla also attract pollinators.
• The corolla, along with the calyx, forms the perianth, enhancing the visual appeal of the flower.
• Some petals are pale or green in color for that, they are also called sepaloids.
• Petals can be soft, thick, or thin.
• The corolla has regular or irregular sizes and shapes.
• Petal edges can be whole, serrated, split, etc.

Functions of Corolla

The corolla generally performs three major works as mentioned below.

• Pollination: Petals look colorful and smell nice to attract bees, birds, and other polinators. They help flowers to develop seeds by carrying pollen around.
• Storage: Petals store sweet nectar to attract pollinators like bees. Nectar draws attention of the pollinators.
• Protection: Petals are the shield of a flower. They keep safe the important parts (stamen and carpel) of a flower. These parts help the flower make fruits and seeds, and petals protect them.

Conclusion – Corolla of Flower

In conclusion, the corolla is an important component of a flower that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. Corolla consists of colorful petals arranged in diverse patterns, that help in attracting pollinators to the flower. The vibrant colors along with the fragrance, contribute to the aesthetic appeal of the plant. It also provides protection to the reproductive organs present within the flower.

The various modified forms of corolla, such as tubular or fused petals, reflect the adaptive nature of flowers to different pollination mechanisms. Corolla is an important component of flower that ensures the successful pollination and reproduction of flowering plants.

FAQs – Corolla of Flower

What is Calyx and Corolla?

The calyx is a collection of green-colored sepals in a flower. Corolla is a collection of colored petals in flowers.

What is the Difference Between a Corolla and a Petal?

Corolla is a collection of petals that displays the color of a flower. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of modified leaves called sepals, that collectively form the calyx and lie just beneath the corolla.

What is the Corolla Tube?

Over 80,000 angiosperm species produce flowers with petals fused into a corolla tube. The corolla tube contributes to the diversity of flower morphology. It plays a critical role in plant reproduction.

Why are Petals Called Corolla?

The term “corolla” refers to a collection of petals. It strongly displays colour and encircles the stamen and carpel, the reproductive organs of a flower.

Where is the Corolla of a Flower?

The petals of flowers are often arranged in a circle around the center of the flower, and this collective unit of petals is referred to as the corolla.

Is the Corolla Male or Female?

Corolla is a collection of petals that displays the color of a flower. It is a shield which protects the stamen and carpel of a flower.

Why is Corolla of a Flower Colourful?

The petals together form the corolla. They are typically brightly coloured or white and attract insects and birds for pollination.