Question

Write difference between Calyx and Corolla?

Answer 1

Hint: Calyx and Corolla, both are the parts of flower. Flower is a condensed shoot. It is the reproductive unit in angiosperm and it is meant for sexual reproduction. Flower has four different whorls arranged successively on the swollen end of the stalk. The four different whorls are Calyx, Corolla, Androecium, Gynoecium.

Complete answer:
Each flower normally has four floral whorls. Calyx and Corolla are two of the floral whorls present in flowers. Calyx and Corolla don’t have any direct function in sexual reproduction. They are also called Accessory organs or non-essential floral organs.

CALYX	COROLLA
The members or parts of this whorl are known as sepals. The sepals are green in color.	The members or parts of this whorl are known as petals. Petals are of various colors.
The primary function of calyx is to protect the floral shoot during its bud stage. In mature condition, it supports the flower.	The petals of a flower have the major function to attract insects for the act of pollination. It is the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma of the same flower, or different flower of the same plant, or different flower present in different plants belonging to the same species. It is mainly achieved by insects.
When the sepals are united, the condition is known as gamosepalous.When the sepals are free, the condition is known as polysepalous.	When the petals are united, the condition is known as gamopetalous.When the petals are free, the condition is known as polypetalous.

In some flowers the calyx and Corolla are not distinct and are termed as perianth. Example- Lily.

Note:
Based on the position of calyx, Corolla, and Androecium in respect of ovaries in the thalamus, flowers are categorized into three different types- hypogynous, perigynous, and epigynous.
1. Hypogynous- In this flower, the Gynoecium occupies the highest position in the whorl, and the rest other parts are situated below it. Example- Brinjal, Mustard.
2. Perigynous- In this type of flower, Gynoecium is situated at the center, and the rest other parts are situated at the same level on the rim of the thalamus. Example- Rose, peach.
3. Epigynous- In this flower the thalamus grows upward and encloses the ovary completely and gets fused with it and the other parts grow above the ovary. Example- Guava, cucumber.