Understanding Asexual Reproduction and Angiosperm Morphology

Asexual Reproduction in Cormophytes

Asexual reproduction in cormophytes involves specific vegetative organs such as stolons, rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs.

• Runners: These are side branches emerging from the base of the stems with horizontal growth. Roots emit buds, giving rise to new independent individuals.
• Rhizomes: Underground stems that grow horizontally in the soil and accumulate reserve substances. Ground stems can emerge from buds, eventually taking root and separating from the main rhizome.
• Tubers: Very enlarged underground stems that store food. They can be separated from the main plant to form separate plants.
• Bulbs: Underground stems that are more or less spherical, with fleshy, layered storage. Smaller bulbs are often formed with buds located between the leaves.

Angiosperm Morphology

Angiosperms have sexual organs present in flowers. The flowers of angiosperms are complete, meaning they have a perianth and, after fertilization, give rise to seeds and fruit. The flower is composed of more or less modified organs arranged in whorls on a floral receptacle, which is a widening of the flower stalk. From outside to inside, the whorls are as follows:

Calyx

Composed of sepals, which are slightly modified green organs.

Corolla

Composed of petals, which are slightly modified organs in various colors.

The calyx and corolla together are called the perianth and consist of two sterile whorls whose mission is to protect the fertile whorls and facilitate pollination. If the sepals and petals are the same color, they are called tepals.

Androecium

Formed by heavily modified organs called stamens. Each stamen consists of a thin filament with an enlargement at the upper end called the anther. Each anther has two nests, separated by a groove, and each consists of two pollen sacs.

Gynoecium

Located in the center of the flower and consists of heavily modified organs called carpels. Each carpel consists of an interior cavity, the ovary, that extends into a slim style, topped by a wide area, the stigma. The egg develops within the ovaries.

Many angiosperms have hermaphroditic flowers, as they have both the androecium and the gynoecium in the same flower.