Types of Flowers

Petal Classification

• One of the criteria for deciding what type a flower is deals with the shape of the petals. Polypetalous flowers have individual petals that are separate from one another. Sympetalous flowers have petals that are joined together as one unit at some point in the anatomy. Plants with bulb-like petals are one example of sympetalous flowers, while blackthorn are an example of polypetalous flowers.

Annuals and Perennials

• Flowers are also classified based on how many seasons of the year they survive through. Annual flowers only live during one season of the year, though this is not specific to a particular season. Perennial flowers live at least three seasons out of four, and some live through every season. The pink primrose is a perennial plant, while the apple blossom is an example of an annual plant that blooms and lives just through spring.

Symmetry

• The design of a flower can also be judged by whether or not it is symmetrical. Actinomorphic flowers can be divided exactly in half and show symmetry on both sides. Zygomorphic flowers cannot be divided into two exact symmetrical halves. Lilies are an example of actinomorphic flowers, while salvia are zygomorphic.

Seasons

• Aside from knowing whether a flower is an annual or perennial, it is important to know what season a flower can survive in. Spring flowers include grape hyacinths, which have petals that actually resemble grapes, and dogwoods with yellow centers and white petals. Asters are summer flowers with orange centers and slender petals. Bird of paradise flowers have narrow yellow petals and also live in the summer. Anemones have large, red petals and bloom in the fall.Chrysanthemums also live in the fall. They have yellowish centers with an array of pink petals.