In a broad-leaf evergreen tree that flowers in spring but does not set fruit because only stamens are present, which floral organ is missing?

In a broad-leaf evergreen tree that flowers in spring but does not set fruit because only stamens are present, which floral organ is missing?

• A. Pistil
• B. Petal
• C. Anther
• D. Ovary

Answer: (A)

The plant’s fruit comes from the female structure of the flower. The pistil is the female floral organ that contains the ovary with ovules. After pollen from the stamens fertilizes those ovules, the ovary develops into fruit. If a flower has only stamens and no pistil, there’s no female organ to receive pollen and no ovary to develop into fruit, so fruit cannot form. Therefore, the missing floral organ is the pistil.

The plant’s fruit comes from the female structure of the flower. The pistil is the female floral organ that contains the ovary with ovules. After pollen from the stamens fertilizes those ovules, the ovary develops into fruit. If a flower has only stamens and no pistil, there’s no female organ to receive pollen and no ovary to develop into fruit, so fruit cannot form. Therefore, the missing floral organ is the pistil.