How to Determine Ovules From Seeds in a Bean Flower

Bean flower ovaries mature into beans.

Each flower, which is the reproductive part of a flowering plant, has its own miniature anatomy. The parts of this anatomy go through stages of sexual maturity toward one goal: to produce seeds. To determine the difference between the ovules– female spores–and the seeds in a bean flower, you need to find the flower's ovary. The ovules develop within the ovary in the flower's pistil. To identify the ovule, follow the flower's pistil, watching for mature development of the plant.

Things You'll Need

• Bean flower Magnifying glass Sharp paring knife

Instructions

1. 

   Ovules of flowers are so small, they can often not be seen without a magnifying glass.

   Watch for the pistil formation in the bud of the flower.

2. Look for the flower to open. When the flower opens, the organs have reached sexual maturity.

3. Gently cut open the pistil. With help of a magnifying glass, look for the ovary and the ovules within. If you find a seed, then the ovule has developed. You can find more than one ovule in the ovary. The ovary can be difficult to find, due to its tiny size.

4. If you decide not to cut into the flower to find the ovules, watch the flower's development. The determination from ovules and seeds will be the level of maturity of the flower. The flowers without the seed development will be the ones with ovules if the flowers are opened.

References

• Seed Biology: The Seed Biology Place: Seed Evolution
• Backyard Nature: Seeds
• Backyard Nature: Remember the Standard Blossom
• Healthy Guidance: Health Guidance for Better Health: How Seeds are Formed