Parts of the Gumamela Flower

The Gumamela flower is also commonly known as the hibiscus flower. Its composition is a lot like every other flower whose sole purpose is to help a plant reproduce. Its distinguishing features are large petals, often forming a trumpet-shape and a prominent stamen tube that is unique to the gumamela flower.

Anthers

Anthers, the flower's male part, are connected to the top of the stamen and support pollen sacs. The gumamela has dozens of stamens whereas most flowers have only five.

Stamen Tube

The anthers are attached to filaments that join together and form the stamen tube, also known as the stamina column. This is unique to the gumamela.

Style

The style, or flower's ovary, is housed in the stamen column. The style branches out into five arms outside the stamina column. Each arm supports one of the gumamela's stigma.

Stigma

Male pollen grains are deposited onto the stigma. The stigma contains the flower's ovules that will start to turn into seeds after they are pollinated.

Petals

The gumamela's petals, also known as the corolla, have shallow lobes. The flower has only five petals. Gumamela breeders develop flowers with many "petals"---stamens that are bred to look like petals---to make a larger, fuller-looking flower.

Sepals

The sepals are modified leaves surrounding the gumamela's petals, serving to protect the flower, especially when it's still a bud.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• American Hibiscus Society
• University of Illinois' "Flower Parts"