How Do Flowers Develop? *
*Note: This is an abbreviated Project Idea, without notes to start your background research, a specific list of materials, or a procedure for how to do the experiment. You can identify abbreviated Project Ideas by the asterisk at the end of the title. If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk.
Abstract
Flower development is an important part of plant growth. When a plant has reached maturity, it needs to develop flowers in order to reproduce. The male and female parts of the flower have specialized structures for reproduction that develop as the plant matures. How do flowers develop over time? Which structures develop first? You can answer these questions by dissecting the flowers of a gladiola. Gladiola flowers grow and develop along the stem, whith the most mature flowers opening at the base of the stem and immature flowers still in flower buds at the tip of the stem. You can dissect developing flowers along the length of a gladiola to develop a time series of flower development. Use your camera to take photos of the different stages. Can you see when the baby seeds develop? Do the female or male parts of the flower develop first? Are all of the flower parts developed before the flower emerges from the bud?Share your story with Science Buddies!
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Last edit date: 2013-01-10
Share your story with Science Buddies!
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