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Floral formulae are one of two methods of expressing flower structure that were created during the nineteenth century, the other being floral diagrams.
Floral formulae are used to describe the structure of flowers that are in bloom.
Despite the fact that the format of floral formulae varies according to the preferences of specific authors and periods, the information they express is often the same.
Flower formulas were created at the start of the nineteenth century to enhance the appearance of flowers.
Cassel (1820), who was the first to design lists of integers to express numbers of parts in named whorls, and Martius (1821), who was the first to use them, were the first authors to make use of them (1828).
To define the properties of floral families, Grisebach (1854) utilised 4-integer series to symbolise the four whorls of floral components in his textbook.
Grisebach divided the numbers of different organs into four whorls, separated by commas, and highlighted the fusion of organs.
Sachs (1873) used them in conjunction with floral diagrams, praising their “regular type faces” composition and noting that they were “affordable.”
Flower Symbols and the Floral Formula
Using the floral formula, it is possible to describe various morphological characteristics such as the habit, diverse vegetative characteristics such as roots, stems, and leaves, as well as floral characteristics and floral parts in a concise, simple and scientific manner and that too in a logical sequence.
It is possible to think of floral diagrams as a pictorial representation of the floral formula.
The floral diagram has the advantage of additionally providing information about the interaction between various components of the plant, which is a useful feature for studying plants.
The floral formula of the Fabaceae family is represented by % ⚥ K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1.
Consequently, the following information about the floral properties of the Fabaceae family can be deduced from this equation:
%: Zygomorphic plant
⚥: Bisexual plant.
GAMOSEPALOUS CALYX (K(5)): A calyx with five sepals that are fused together, giving the flower its name.
Flowers with five petals (C1+2+(2)) consisting of a posterior standard, two lateral wings, and two anterior ones forming a “keel” (C1+2+(2)) (enclosing stamens and pistil).
Androecium is made up of ten stamens in this instance, hence the number A(9)+1 is used. They are diadelphous, which means that they are partially connected together to form two structures.
G1: Gynoecium is made up of one or more pistils, depending on the species. The pistil is composed of one superior ovary, one style, and a single carpel in this instance.
Floral Formula: A Detailed Investigation
Even while the Fabaceae floral formula above appears to be nothing more than a jumble of symbols at first glance, once you understand what these symbols mean, it will appear to be a relatively simple task.
When you look at the floral characters, which are clearly demonstrated by the floral formula of Fabaceae, and then look at the floral diagram of Fabaceae, you will notice that it is an exact pictorial representation of the formula –
the five sepals forming the calyx, the five petals forming the corolla consisting of a posterior standard, two lateral wings, two anterior wings forming a keel (enclosing the stamens and pistil).
Conclusion
The floral formula, which is composed of numbers, characters and other symbols describes the structure of a flower.
The floral diagram can be used to display the information offered by the floral formula in a fairly accurate manner.
That a floral formula is unique to a family of plants, or that it may be made more specific for a certain species, is its most valuable feature, since it serves as a symbol for that particular family or species of flowering plants.
As a result, the floral formula provides a straightforward method of recalling flower morphology, symmetry, and sexuality, among other things.
The most accurate way to represent the floral qualities of a given family is to master the floral formula, which can then be used to construct the floral diagram for the family in question.
Floral symmetry, floral whorls, and other floral properties are frequently represented using a combination of the floral formula and the floral diagram.
