Angiosperm Lab Worksheet: Flower Dissections

Objective: In this lab you will be exploring the anatomy of angiosperm flowers. By the
end of this activity you will be able to
1. identify the major parts of a flower and explain what function each part plays in
angiosperm reproduction.
2. compare and contrast monocots and dicots.
Part 1: Working with a partner, select one crocus flower and carefully take it apart.
Using what you already know about flower anatomy (and consulting your textbook or
other resources if you need additional information), identify the following parts of a
flower: sepals (calyx), petals (corolla), pistil, style, stigma, ovary, stamen, filament,
anther. You can look at some of the flower parts under the dissecting microscope to get a
closer view of them. In the space provided below, use colored pencils to sketch a picture
of your flower and label all of the parts listed above. Also, in the chart provided, indicate
how many sepals, petals, stamens and pistils the flower has.
Crocus Flower Diagram

Crocus Flower Parts

Sepals
# of parts

Petals

Stamens

Pistils

Part 2: Using a razor blade, cut open the ovary. Make thin sections of the ovary and
mount one section on a slide. Look at this ovary section using the compound
microscope. Do you see ovules?
Next, cut off a section of an anther and mount it on a second slide. Look at the anther
under the compound microscope. Do you see pollen grains?
Sketch what you see on the two slides in the spaces you made provided below (labeling
the ovules and pollen grains). Also look at the prepared slides of the ovary and anther
and sketch them as well.
Ovary Section

Anther Section

Questions:
1. What are the female parts of a flower? Where are eggs found?
2. What are the male parts of a flower? Where is sperm found?
3. Stigmas are often sticky (try touching the stigma on your flower to see). Why
would it be beneficial to a plant to have a sticky stigma?

Part 3: Once you have finished working with the crocus flower, select an pansy flower
to dissect. As with the crocus, identify the flower parts present (using a dissecting
microscope if you would like). Using colored pencils, sketch a picture of the squash
flower in the space below. Also, in the chart below indicate how many of each plant part
are present in your flower.

Pansy Flower Diagram

Pansy Flower Parts

Sepals

Petals

Stamens

Pistils

# of parts
General Questions:
1. What purpose do the petals serve for the plant?
2. What purpose do the sepals serve for the plant?
3. When we eat squash (for example zucchini), what part of the plant are we eating?
How can you tell?
4. We often see bees buzzing around flowers. How is the relationship between bees
and flowers mutually beneficial?
5. What is the benefit of cross-pollination for a plant species?