Flor

Flor is the term used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, for the reproductive part of a flowering plant and, by extension, the plant itself. It derives from Latin flos, floris. In scientific English, the term flower is used, but flor appears in everyday speech and in many proper names related to plants.

Most flowers consist of four whorls: sepals, petals, stamens, and a pistil. The sepals form the calyx, the petals the corolla, the stamens produce pollen, and the pistil contains the ovary, style, and stigma. Flowers vary greatly in size, shape, color, and scent, and may be complete (all four parts) or incomplete (lacking one or more parts).

Pollination transfers pollen from an anther to a stigma, enabling fertilization when pollen grains reach the ovules within the ovary. Pollination can be self- or cross-pollinated, with animals (bees, butterflies, birds) or wind as vectors. Fertilized ovules develop into seeds, often inside a fruit that helps dispersal.

Flowers are adapted to diverse habitats and pollination strategies. Angiosperms display vast floral diversity that supports ecosystems by providing food for pollinators and housing for seeds. The economic value of flowers is significant in ornamentals, cut flowers, perfumes, and food crops.

Floral symbolism appears in art and language, while floriculture and botany study and cultivate flowers. Wildflower habitats face threats from habitat loss and climate change, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts and pollinator protection.