what do the letters K,C,A,G represent is identifying the plant by it flowers?
i know it has to do with how the flower is arranged but i don’t know what thy represent or how it is used. ie K2-4 and so on. sometimes even with the infinite sign or something.
K = calyx, the sepals; also symbolized Ca
C = corolla, the petals; also symbolized Co
A = androecium, the stamens; also symbolized S
G = gynoecium, the pistil(s)
These are shorthand symbols used to write a floral formula, which tells you about the construction of the flower. For instance, a tulip flower has the floral formula
Ca 3 Co 3 S 6 G 3 (with a circle around the 3 of the G to symbolize three united carpels)
The infinity symbol is used for "many", which is defined as "more than 10" — so poppy stamens are symbolized as
S infinity, for instance.
If you poke around on the web using the search term "floral formula" you’ll find some examples written properly, as I cannot write them here.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
K = calyx, the sepals; also symbolized Ca
C = corolla, the petals; also symbolized Co
A = androecium, the stamens; also symbolized S
G = gynoecium, the pistil(s)
These are shorthand symbols used to write a floral formula, which tells you about the construction of the flower. For instance, a tulip flower has the floral formula
Ca 3 Co 3 S 6 G 3 (with a circle around the 3 of the G to symbolize three united carpels)
The infinity symbol is used for "many", which is defined as "more than 10" — so poppy stamens are symbolized as
S infinity, for instance.
If you poke around on the web using the search term "floral formula" you’ll find some examples written properly, as I cannot write them here.
References :
botanist