(gynaecium) The female component of the angiosperm flower, which may be made up of one or more * carpels. The gynoecium usually occupies the most central part of the floral axis, although in more advanced forms it may not be symmetrically placed. If the gynoecium contains only one carpel it is termed monocarpellary, unicarpellous, or stylodious. If there are two or more separate carpels it is apocarpous and if the carpels are fused syncarpous. The gynoecium is represented by the letter G in the floral formula. Compare androecium. See ovary. |
