Kroonlehed

Kroonlehed is a term used in Estonian to refer to the petals of a flower. These delicate structures are a vital part of a flower's reproductive system, often serving to attract pollinators. Their shape, color, and fragrance are diverse and vary greatly among different plant species, each adapted to attract specific insects or animals.

The arrangement of kroonlehed, known as the corolla, can take many forms. Some flowers have a single layer of petals, while others have multiple layers or fused petals forming a tube-like structure. The number of kroonlehed can also be a distinguishing characteristic for plant identification, though it is not always a fixed number for all species.

Beyond their role in attracting pollinators, kroonlehed can also protect the inner reproductive organs of the flower, the stamens and pistil, from damage or desiccation. After pollination and fertilization, the kroonlehed typically wither and fall away, making way for the development of the fruit and seeds. In some cases, however, they may persist and become part of the mature fruit. The study of kroonlehed is a fundamental aspect of botany and floral morphology.