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Flowers Overview-2
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Ancestral &
Derived Flowers
Ancestral flowers contained many Sterile and Fertile Elements and relied on wind or water for fertilization and seed dispersal.
More specialized or Advanced Flowers have highy specialized adaptations for both of these vital reproductive functions. The successful, rapid evolutionary explosion of the Angiosperms could not have ocurred without the advent and evolution of the flower.
The table below contans a few example of flowers which have various mixtures of Ancestral and Derived Traits. "Primitive" flowers are on the left and the "Advanced" are towards the right.
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 Anemone is a member of the Ranunculaceae & relies on wind pollination. However, even unspecialized flowers may be visited by pollinators.   Potentilla, a member of the Rosaceae has Many Stamens and Many Carpels.  Cactus flowers (Cactaceae) have many Perianth parts and many Stamens. These also attract oportunistic pollinators. |
 Individual Composite flowers have nectaries which may attract
specific pollinators. Honeysuckle flowers have nectaries which attract specific pollinators who are able to hover and have a long proboscus.  Flowers like this Columbine have specialized nectaries which attract specific Pollinators.  |
 Aristolochia has an extremely complex structure/function interrelationship with small flies that pollinate it!  Streletzia has specific floral adaptions for bird pollinators.  Orchids have some of the most elaborate and specific relationships with Animal pollinators.
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