What Are Different Kinds Of Flowers

The refreshing beauty and pleasant aroma of flowers is the reason why most of the people around the world find them attractive. Flowers have been used to enthrall and fascinate people across the globe for centuries. They have been distinctively placed in mythology, folklore and religious symbols of different races and religions. A single flower itself can convey the meaning of love, beauty and pure innocence in full quintessence. Flowers develop from buds in the same fashion as twigs do. They can be classified on several parameters, such as form, size, color and anatomical arrangement. Read through the following lines to know what are the different kinds of flowers, as classified on different parameters.

Different Types Of Flowers

Classification on the basis of Morphology

Sympetalous: The petals of these flowers are joined, either partially or fully.
Polypetalous: The petals of these flowers are not joined.
Actinomorphic: Flowers under this category display radial symmetry. They can be divided into two identical parts along the imaginary axis through centre. They are further classified into funnel shaped, tubular shaped and campanulate (bell-shaped and narrower than tubular). Few of actinomorphic morphology are poppy family, cruciform and rose family.
Zygomorphic: Flowers under this category display bilateral symmetry. Irregular corolla can be seen in bilabiate flowers, with the upper lip made by joining two petals and lower lip by joining three. The corolla is made up of five petals in Papilionaceous flowers, one at the most superior position, two at the sides and two joined below.

Classification on the basis of Position

Terminal: Flowers under this category can be seen either as singles or in groups on the ends of the axis or branches. Examples are Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) and Nerium oleander.
Axillary: Here, flowers and clusters of flowers can be found at the junction of the stem or axis and the leaf. Examples are Catharanthus roseus (periwinkle), Callicarpa mericana (beautyberry) and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hibiscus).

Classification on the basis of Flower Branches, Clusters and Inflorences

Single Flower: Single flowers are present at the tip of peduncle, an elongated stalk or branch of the main axis of the plant. Tulip and Magnolia grandiflora (southern magnolia) are such examples.
Cluster: Under this category, three or more flowers are found gathered in close formation, in simple or branched manner. Ligustrum japonicum (ligustrum), Pentas spp. 9pentas), Manifera indica (mango), Pyracantha coccinea (firethorn) and Dianthus barbatus (sweet William) are examples of flowers under this category.
Inflorescence: The arrangement of flowers or groups of flowers is termed as inflorescence. Different flowers are grouped differently, but some characteristics are same for certain flower types, which help in identifying their species. These are further classified into two categories, namely, racemose type and cymose type. In racemose inflorescences, the axis grows continuously and the oldest flower is borne at the base, while the newest one is seen near the growing tip. In cymose inflorescences, the upward growth of the floral axis stops with the development of terminal flower, the oldest flower is borne at the tip, while the younger one appears lower down on the axis.

Classification on the basis of Blossom

Annual Flowers: Plants that flower or ripen their seeds or fruits in the same season in which they are sown are called annuals. They are further classified into hardy and half-hardy or tender kinds.
Perennials: These plants continue to produce brilliant flowers for several years in succession. The most common of them is the rose that is grown in thorny bushes.
Biennial Flowers: These are plants that do not flower during the first growing season and die after the second season, i.e., they are in perfection in only one season.

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