Pistil (Ovary, Style, Stigma, Ovule, Carpel)

A pistil is the female part of the flower.

Drawing courtesy Carrie-Liz Carpenter

The base of the pistil holds the ovary, which will develop into a fruit if it is pollinated.

The top of the pistil is the stigma, designed to receive pollen. It sits on top of a style which holds the stigma in a good place to receive pollen.

If a pollen grain is compatible with the stigma, the pollen germinates and grows a tube that penetrates the style to reach the ovary.

The ovary holds one to many ovules, each of which can develop into a genetically separate seed if reached by a pollen grain.

Here is an Ookow flower, pulled apart to show the pistil.

Ookow – Photo © Richard Haard (rchaard@me.com)

A pistil can have multiple female units, each called a carpel. For instance, each section of an orange is a carpel.

This generic flower diagram shows how parts are arranged, with the pistil in the center, surrounded by other parts.

Drawing courtesy Judy Mason

However, a flower doesn’t need to have all these parts. As long as there is a pistil or a stamen you’ve got a flower. Each species makes its own variations.

Want more? See Wikipedia.

Corrections/Comments: bruce@PlantID.net