Gynoecium

Definition of Gynoecium

The female reproductive organ of the flower.

The flower is made up of 4 whorls namely calyx, corolla, androecium and gynoecium
Gynoecium also known as ‘Pistil’ is the female reproductive whorl of the flower
It consists of female reproductive organ known as Carpels
Stamens and Carpel are present in a typical ‘dioecious’ flower
In ‘monoecious’ flower only carpels or stamens may be present
When only carpels are present, such flowers are called gynoecius flower
A carpel is a ‘megasporophyll‘ that ovules attached inside
The pollen (male gametophyte) germinates on the outside, grows into the carpel, and fertilizes the ovules
The number, size and shape of carpelvary for different flower
Each carpel consists of
1) Ovary:
- The ovary is the enlarged terminal portion
  It is known as megasporophyll
  It consists of female reproductive cells called ovules
2) Style :
- It is the filamentous stalk that connects the ovary and the stigma
  It facilitates the growth of the pollen tube for helping the male gamete to the ovule
  3) Stigma: It is present at the distal end of the carpel
  It receives the pollen grains and directs it towards the ovary through style

1) Which among the following are the sexual parts of the Flower?

a) Calyx
b) Androecium
c) Gynoeicum
d) Both b & c

Solution: (d) Androecium and Gynoecium are sexual parts of the flower

2) Which among the following is not the part of the Gynoecium?

a) Ovary
b) Style
c) Anther
d) Stigma

Solution: (c) Anther is a part of stamen, a unit of Androecium