Sepal (Calyx)

 

Sepals surround the petals of a flower. 

 

Flowers tend to have many sepals at their base.  As a group, they are referred to as the calyx.

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Drawing courtesy Carrie Liz Carpenter

 

 

Plants use sepals in a variety of ways. 

 

Flower buds are made of sepals.  Here it’s protecting an emerging flower.

Antioch Dunes Evening Primrose – photo © Bob Sikora

 

Some plants use sepals to attract pollinators.

Fetid Adder’s Tongue – photo © Neal Kramer

 

Here is a generic flower diagram, showing reproductive parts in the middle, surrounded by petals, and the petals by sepals.  Each species makes its variations on this plan - dropping parts and changing shapes to succeed in its environment.

Drawing courtesy Judy Mason

 

Want more?  See Wikipedia.

 

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