Connation

Connation

Connation in plants is the developmental fusion of organs of the same type, for example, petals to one another to form a tubular corolla.[1][2] This is in contrast to adnation, the fusion of dissimilar organs.

flower in the center of which is a projecting tube formed of the fused filaments of the stamens; the free anthers form a spreading cluster at its tip
The stamens of this Hibiscus are synfilamentous

Terms for connation of flower parts

  • Synsepalous: All the sepals of a flower are fused into a cup or tube, the fused portion is the calyx tube and any non fused tips are the calyx lobes.
  • Sympetalous: All the petals of a flower are fused into a cup, tube, or other shape.
  • Stamens:
    • Synandrous: Stamens are fused in an unspecified manner
    • Synfilamentous: Stamens are fused by their filaments
    • Synantherous: Stamens are fused by their anthers
  • Syncarpous: Carpels are fused together to form a compound ovary

The corresponding terms for parts that are free (not connate) begin with the prefix "apo-". An apopetalous corolla has free, unfused petals.

References

  1. ^ Little, R. John; Jones, C. Eugene, eds (1980). A Dictionary of Botany. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company. p. 91. ISBN 0442241690. 
  2. ^ Jackson, Benjamin Daydon (1928). A Glossary of Botanic Terms with their Derivation and Accent (fourth ed.). London: Gerald Duckworth & Co. Ltd.. p. 89. http://www.archive.org/details/glossaryofbotani1928jack.