What is Carpel

Carpel is the female reproductive part of a flower. A flower can have one or more carpels. All the carpels together are termed gynoecium or pistil. A pistil may contain a single carpel or multiple carpels fused together.

Carpel - 1

Carpel

Structure

Carpel contains three parts:

i) Stigma – Sticky, knob-like head of the carpel.

ii) Style – Long, slender, stalk-like structure, connecting the stigma and ovary.

iii) Ovary – Base of the carpel, containing the eggs or ovules.

Function

  • Stigma receives pollen grains and germinates them.

  • Style supports the stigma and connects it to the ovary. It also carries the pollen from the stigma via pollen tube.

  • Ovary produces the female sex cells or ovules. It also helps in the development and nourishment of the embryo.

  • References Parts of a Flower Carpel – Study.com Carpel Pistil – Science-health.csu.edu.au Carpels – Sciencedirect.com

Article was last reviewed on Wednesday, February 1, 2023