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Question
Sunflower is not a flower. Explain.
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Solution
Sunflowers are a group of flowers, not a single flower. In actuality, what looks to be a single flower is actually an inflorescence, which is a group or bunch of very small blooms. These flowers are arranged in a unique way on a receptacle. The capitulum is the name for this form of inflorescence. The following are the main characteristics of a capitulum.
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The receptacle has been flattened.
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On the receptacle, there are several tiny, sessile florets.
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The florets that are the newest are in the centre, whereas those that are the oldest are in the periphery.
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Sunflower florets are divided into two types: ray florets and disc florets.
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The receptacle's rim is covered in ray florets. These have a yellow colour to them.
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The disc florets are located in the centre. They are actinomorphic and bisexual.
A sunflower is an inflorescence, not a flower, as evidenced by the characteristics listed above.
