Floral formula

A compact symbolic notation that summarizes a flower’s symmetry and the number, arrangement, and fusion of its floral parts.

Flower: The reproductive structure of a flowering plant, typically containing organs that produce gametes and support seed formation. A floral formula is a compressed description of a flower’s structure.
Floral symmetry: The pattern by which a flower can be divided into matching halves. A leading symbol commonly indicates radial or bilateral symmetry.
Plant taxonomy: The science of naming, describing, and classifying plants. Floral formulas summarize characters used to identify and compare plant groups.
Floral diagram: A schematic drawing that shows the number, position, and relationships of floral organs in cross-section or from above. A diagram can show organ positions that a compact formula may not make explicit.
Sepal: A usually green outer floral organ that protects the developing flower bud. Sepals form the calyx, whose number and arrangement can appear in the formula.
Merosity: The number of floral organs in each whorl or repeated floral unit. Numerals in a formula record organ counts, while ranges or infinity indicate variation or abundance.
Plant identification: The process of determining a plant’s identity from its observable characteristics. A formula can condense diagnostic floral traits for comparison with an identification key.
Botanical illustration: A scientifically informed image depicting a plant or its parts with visual detail. Illustrations convey appearance and shape beyond the structural data encoded in formulas.
Petal: A floral organ, often colorful, that commonly helps attract pollinators. Petals form the corolla and are counted as a distinct floral whorl.
Plant morphology notation: A system of symbols and conventions for describing the form and arrangement of plant structures. Floral formulas are one concise notation within the broader practice of recording plant morphology.

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