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Flower & Fruit Anatomy Animations

Flower Anatomy & Pollination > Flower & Fruit Anatomy Animations

These animations demonstrate pollination, fertilization, and fruit development in three types of flower: epigynous 1/, perigynous 2/ and hypogynous 3/. For disucussion of these types, see previous pages. These animations were developed by Robert Burnett, Brooke Jacobs, Tom Gradziel, and Vito Polito at the University of California, Davis.

The Hypogynous2/ Persimmon

After pollination (00:07 seconds) all floral structures are color coded and include petals (yellow), stigma and style (grey), ovule (orange), and receptacle (green). In this animation the ovule grows after fertilization and remains attached to the sepals and receptacle tissue. The resulting fruit is composed almost entirely of ovule tissue surrounding the seeds.

The Perigynous3/ Peach

All floral structures are color coded and include petals (light pink), stigma and style (grey), ovule (orange), cup-shaped hypanthium (magenta), receptacle (green), and anthers, filament and sepals (blue). In this animation the cup shaped hypanthium, and all attached structures, fall off as the fruit develops from the growing ovule tissue.


1/ Epigynous: Having the floral parts, such as the petals and stamens, attached to or near the upper part of the ovary. Example: apple

2/ Hypogynous: Having the floral parts, such as sepals, petals, and stamens, borne on the receptacle beneath the ovary. Example: persimmon

3/ Perigynous: Having the floral parts, such as sepals, petals, and stamens, borne around the edge of a cuplike receptacle (the hypanthium) containing the pistil. Example: peach

The Epigynous 1/ Apple

All floral structures are color coded and include petals (light pink), stigma and style (grey), ovule (orange), attached hypanthium (magenta), receptacle (green), and anthers, filament and sepals (blue). In this animation the attached hypanthium remains attached to the ovule and grows after fertilization. The resulting fruit is composed almost entirely of hypanthium tissue surrounding the ovule and seeds. The sepals, anthers, and style remain attached and shriveled at the top of the fully developed fruit.