Ovary
Creator(s): N. P. Smith
Description: Hypanthium and ovary of Eschweilera ovalifolia based on Prance et al. 24419 from Amazonas Brazil. Note that this species appears to have a half-inferior ovary, i.e., the ovules are above the attachments of the sepals and petals but it should still be called inferior because the ovules are not above the area where the staminal ring was inserted.
Rights: Rights reside with creator, otherwise property of NYBG.
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Title
Ovary
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Definition
The part of the gynoecium containing the ovules.
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Notes
In neotropical Lecythidaceae, the ovary is usually inferior but it is sometimes referred to as half inferior. An inferior ovary is one in which all of the other floral parts are inserted above the position of the ovules, i.e., above the placentae. A half-inferior ovary is one in all of the ovules are above the other floral parts. If it is too close to determine, we call the ovary inferior. In almost all cases, the ovary should be considered inferior. Because the ovary is inferior, the ovary is surrounded by hypanthial tissue and the fruit is presumably develops from both the hypanthium and the ovary; thus, it is difficult to define what the exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp are.
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Related Terms
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