Types of Ovary in Plants

The Ovary is the female reproductive organ of a flower. It is located at the base of the flower, below the stigma and style. The ovary in plants contains one or more ovules, which develop into seeds upon fertilization. After fertilization, the ovary matures into a fruit, which protects and disperses the seeds. There are 3 types of ovary in plants depending on its position: superior, half-inferior, and inferior. In this article, we will discuss the ovary in plants, its parts, function, and types in detail.

What is the Ovary of the plant?

The ovary in flower is a part of the female reproductive system, also known as the gynoecium. It is located in the internal whorl of the flower and is where fertilization and seed development occur. The ovary contains one or more ovules, which are the female gametes. After fertilization, the ovary develops into a fruit, and the ovules develop into seeds.

The ovary is connected to the rest of the flower by the style. The style is a long, thin tube that carries pollen from the stigma to the ovary. The stigma is the top of the style, and it is where pollen lands. There are two main types of ovaries in plants: superior ovaries and inferior ovaries.

Types of Ovary in Plants

The different types of ovary in flowering plants can be classified into three types based on its position:

Superior Ovary

A superior ovary is an ovary that is attached to the receptacle above the attachment of other floral parts. The sepals, petals, and stamens arise from beneath or around the ovary without fusing with it. Superior ovaries examples are found in fleshy fruits such as true berries, drupes, tomatoes, eggplants, gooseberries, and currants. A flower with this arrangement is described as Hypogynous.

Inferior Ovary

An inferior ovary is an ovary that is located below the attachment point of other floral parts on a flower. The flowers that have an inferior ovary are called Epigynous. In an inferior ovary, the floral parts (calyx, corolla, and stamens) grow from the summit. For example, orchids and Fuschia have inferior ovaries. Strawberries and roses also have inferior ovaries, and the fruit develops below the floral parts. The location of the ovary within the flower can determine the type of fruit that develops.

Half-Inferior Ovary

A half-inferior ovary is an ovary that is embedded or surrounded by the receptacle. It is also known as a half-superior, subinferior, or partially inferior ovary. A half-inferior ovary differs from an inferior ovary in that the apex of the ovary bulges above the attachment of the hypanthium. The hypanthium is made up of the fusion of sepals, petals, and stamens to the ovary.

Flowers with half-inferior ovaries are called Perigynous or Half-Epigynous. This type of ovary is common in the Lythraceae family, such as pomegranates. Examples of flowers with half-inferior ovaries include roses, lilies, and plums.

Structure of Ovary in Plants

The ovary is the female reproductive organ in flowering plants. It’s located in the internal whorl of the flower, at the base where the sepals and petals meet. The ovary is a part of the pistil that contains most of the ovules which are the potential seeds. Each ovule contains an egg cell and is surrounded by protective layers, including the integuments. The ovary is made up of the following parts: Ovary wall, Locule, Placenta, Funiculus, Ovule.

• The ovary can be unilocular, bilocular, or multilocular, depending on the number of locules it has. A simple ovary is made up of a single carpel, which is a modified leaf. A multicarpellate ovary is made up of more than one carpel and can have one or more locules.
• The ovary wall is the three layer that surrounds the ovary: the outermost epidermis, the middle layer called the mesocarp, and the innermost layer known as the endocarp. These layers collectively form the fruit after fertilization.
• The ovules are attached to the ovary wall via a structure called the placenta.
• The funiculus is a stalk-like structure that connects the ovule to the placenta within the ovary that acts as a conduit for nutrient transport and supports the ovule during its development.
• The ovary is connected to the stigma by the style. During fertilization, pollen lands on the stigma, and a tube grows down the style and enters the ovary. After fertilization, the ovary of the flower develops into a fruit containing a seed.

Function of Ovary in Plants

The ovary is a female reproductive organ in flowering plants located in the center of the flower. It contains ovules, which are the female reproductive cells. The functions of ovary in plants are:

• The ovary contains ovules, each of which has the potential to develop into a seed after fertilization.
• It prepares ovules for fertilization and protects developing zygotes.
• After successful fertilization, the ovary undergoes changes and transforms into a fruit, encapsulating the developing seeds.
• Along with the placenta and funiculus, the ovary allow the transfer of nutrients to the developing ovules and support their growth.
• The ovary serves as the site for fertilization, where male pollen grains reach the ovules to initiate the formation of seeds.
• The ovary helps in the development of endosperm, a nutritive tissue in seeds. It supports the growth and development of the embryo.
• The different position and structure of the ovary allow it to adapt to the specific environment and pollination strategies.

Significance of Types of Ovary in Plants

The ovary is the enlarged basal portion of a flower that contains placentas and ovules. The ovary wall develops into the fruit or pericarp, which is closely related to the type of seed dispersal system.Significance of ovary in the plants are:

• The structure of the ovary determines the number of ovules and the number of seeds which influences the type of fruit produced. It affects the seed dispersal and germination.
• Ovary characteristics are key elements used in the classification and identification of plant species. Taxonomists use ovary types to group plants into families, genera, and species.
• Different types of ovaries in plants reflect the diverse reproductive strategies employed by plants which helps in studying the evolution and adaptation of plant species.
• Ovary types determines adaptations to different ecological niches and environmental conditions.
• The ovary’s significance is also related to the types of fruits that develop from it:
  • Simple fruits: Derived from one ovary of a single flower.
  • Aggregate fruits: Derived from many ovaries of one flower.
  • Multiple fruits: Derived from multiple ovaries each from their own individual flowers.
• Different ovary types contribute to the diversity of fruits and vegetables consumed by humans.
• Agricultural practices benefit from understanding ovary characteristics for crop management and cultivation.

Conclusion – Types of Ovary in Plants

The ovary of the flower is a part that contains the ovules. The number of locules (chambers) in an ovary can vary, and based on this, the ovary can be classified as unilocular, bilocular, or multilocular. The ovary can also be classified based on its position in the flower, with superior ovaries sitting above the attachment point of the petals, stamen, and sepals, and inferior ovaries sitting below. The ovary is made up of carpels, which are evolutionarily modified leaves. Understanding the types of ovaries in plants is fundamental in the field of plant taxonomy, reproduction studies, and agriculture.

FAQs on Types of Ovary in Plants

How many Ovaries Does a Plant Have?

The number of ovaries in a plant varies depending on the number of carpels in the flower. A typical flower has one ovary, but the ovary can have multiple sections called carpels. Each carpel may have multiple ovules.

What is the Difference Between a Superior Ovary and Inferior Ovary?

The position of an ovary is determined by where it attaches to the other floral parts. An ovary is considered superior if it attaches above the other floral parts, and inferior if it attaches below.

What are the Different Types of Ovaries in Fruits?

The ovary of a fruit can be classified by the number of chambers it has: Unilocular, Bilocular, Multilocular.

 Which Part of the Flower Develops into Fruit?

The ovary of a flower develops into a fruit after fertilization. The ovary is the basal part of the pistil, the female reproductive organ of the flower.

How Many Whorls are There in a Flower?

A flower has four whorls: calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium.

What is the Function of Receptacles in Flowers?

The receptacle is a specialized structure in flowers that connects the flower to the stalk and supports the flower. It’s the thickened top part of the pedicel that connects to the flower’s base.

What is the Function of the Ovule in a Flower?

The ovule is a small structure in the ovary of a flower that contains and gives rise to female reproductive cells.

Where is Anther Located in a Flower?

The anther is located at the top of the stamen, the male reproductive part of a flower.

What is the Structure of Ovaries?

The ovary structure in plants comprises of ovules enclosed within protective ovary walls. These walls consist of layers such as the epidermis, parenchyma, and vascular tissue, supporting ovule development and fruit formation.

What is the Function of an Ovary in Plants?

The ovary in plants produces ovules which contaiins female reproductive cells, and after fertilization, develops into a fruit, ensuring seed protection and dispersal for plant reproduction.

What is Different Types of Ovaries in Flowering Plants?

Flowering plants can have various types of ovaries, including simple ovaries with a single carpel, compound ovaries composed of fused carpels, and superior ovaries positioned above floral attachments or inferior ovaries situated below.