The female reproductive part of a flower is called the:

The flower is the reproductive organ of flowering plants (angiosperms). A typical flower has four main whorls (rings) of parts, arranged on a base called the thalamus (receptacle):

Calyx: the outermost whorl, made of green leaf-like sepals, which protect the flower in the bud stage.

Corolla: made of petals, often brightly coloured and scented, which attract pollinating insects and birds.

Androecium: the male reproductive whorl, made of stamens.

Gynoecium: the female reproductive whorl, made of one or more carpels (pistils). It is the innermost part of the flower.

The pistil (or carpel) has three parts:

Stigma: the sticky tip at the top, which receives pollen grains during pollination.

Style: the long, slender tube that connects the stigma to the ovary. The pollen tube grows down through it.

Ovary: the swollen base, which contains one or more ovules. Each ovule contains an egg cell (the female gamete) inside the embryo sac.

The stamen, the male part, has two parts: the filament (a thin stalk) and the anther (which produces pollen grains containing the male gametes).

After pollination and fertilisation, the ovary develops into the fruit, and the ovules develop into seeds. The petals, sepals and stamens usually wither and fall off.

Flowers that have both stamens and pistils are called bisexual (or perfect) flowers, such as hibiscus, mustard and rose. Flowers that have either stamens or pistils are called unisexual flowers, such as papaya and watermelon. Some plants, like papaya, have male and female flowers on separate plants (dioecious), while others, such as maize and coconut, have both on the same plant (monoecious).

Why not the other options?

• ✗The stamen is the male reproductive part.
• ✗Sepals protect the flower bud.
• ✗Petals attract pollinators.