Structure and Development of Ovule

The gynoecium is the female reproductive part of the flower. It is composed of one or more units called pistils (also called carpels). Each pistil has exactly three parts: the Stigma, the Style, and the Ovary.

Three Parts of a Pistil:

Types of Gynoecium:

The ovule (megasporangium) arises from the placenta inside the ovary. It is the most critical structure in plant reproduction - after fertilisation, it develops into a seed, while the ovary develops into the fruit.

Structure of an ovule

Anatropous Ovule: Most Common Type in Angiosperms

In anatropous ovules, the micropyle is directed downward toward the funicle. This is the most common ovule type in angiosperms. The funicle becomes fused with the ovule body to form a ridge called the raphe.

(a) A dissected flower of Hibiscus showing pistil (other floral parts have been removed); (b) Multicarpellary, syncarpous pistil of Papaver ; (c) A multicarpellary, apocarpous gynoecium of Michelia; (d) A diagrammatic view of a typical anatropous ovule

The structure in flowering plants that develops into a seed after fertilization is called the ovule.

• The ovule is an integumented megasporangium present inside the ovary and is attached to the placenta by a stalk called the funicle.
• The nucellus is the central part containing reserve food, surrounded by one or two integuments for protection.
• The integuments leave a small opening called the micropyle at the apex, while the basal region is called the chalaza, and the attachment point is the hilum.
• The ovule is commonly anatropous, and contains an embryo sac (female gametophyte) with structures like egg cell, synergids, and polar nuclei.
• During development, the ovule arises from the placenta, and integuments grow around the nucellus to form a mature ovule.