# Flower Parts and Jobs

Part of the Plant Science Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/index.md)

*1. Plant Anatomy*

> **1.** Make a drawing and identify five or more parts of a flowering plant. Tell what each part does.

This requirement asks you to draw a flowering plant and label at least five parts. Your drawing does not need to be artistic — it needs to be accurate and clearly labeled. Use a real flower if possible; dissecting one will help you see structures that are hard to spot from the outside.

## Key Parts of a Flowering Plant

Here are the major parts you should know. You need at least five, but learning all of them will strengthen your understanding for later requirements.

### Roots

Roots anchor the plant in the soil and absorb water and dissolved minerals. They also store food for the plant. Some plants have a single thick **taproot** (like a carrot), while others have a network of thin **fibrous roots** (like grass).

### Stem

The stem supports the plant and carries water, minerals, and sugars between the roots and leaves. Inside the stem, **xylem** tissue moves water upward from the roots, while **phloem** tissue carries sugars made in the leaves to the rest of the plant.

### Leaves

Leaves are the primary site of **photosynthesis** — the process that converts sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen. Leaves have tiny pores called **stomata** on their surfaces that allow gas exchange with the air.

### Flower

The flower is the reproductive structure. It contains:

- **Petals** — Often colorful, petals attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.
- **Sepals** — The small, usually green leaf-like structures at the base of the flower that protect the bud before it opens.
- **Stamen** (male part) — Made up of the **anther** (which produces pollen) and the **filament** (which holds the anther up).
- **Pistil** (female part) — Made up of the **stigma** (sticky tip that catches pollen), the **style** (tube connecting stigma to ovary), and the **ovary** (which contains ovules that develop into seeds after fertilization).

### Fruit and Seeds

After pollination, the ovary develops into a **fruit** that contains **seeds**. The fruit protects the seeds and helps with dispersal — by wind, water, or animals.

> **Tip**
>
> To make your drawing easier, pick a large, simple flower like a lily, tulip, or daffodil. Carefully pull the flower apart and lay the pieces on a sheet of paper in order: sepals, petals, stamens, pistil. Then draw what you see and label each part.

![Dissected flowering plant with roots, stem, leaf, petals, sepals, stamens, pistil, fruit, and seeds clearly labeled](https://ik.imagekit.io/doulacoop/tr:w-800/mbu-assets/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/flowering-plant-parts-diagram?v=3525b320)

## Drawing Tips

**Drawing Checklist** — Make sure your drawing includes

- [ ] The whole plant from roots to flower.
- [ ] At least five labeled parts with lines pointing to each structure.
- [ ] A brief note next to each label explaining the function (e.g., "Roots — absorb water and minerals").
- [ ] Your name and date.

Video: [Flower Dissection - Reproduction in Flowering Plants](https://youtu.be/493WeySyf-8?si=u7d6_2RKO2h03wNo)

Video: [Flower Structures and Functions](https://youtu.be/GkzFimUJdD8)

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With a solid understanding of plant anatomy, you are ready to learn the chemical process that makes all plant life possible.

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- Previous: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/index.md)
- Next: [Photosynthesis and Why Plants Matter](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/plant-science/guide/req2/index.md)