10. Describe the various types of placentations found in flowering plants.
Placentation refers to the arrangement of ovules within the ovary of a flower. There can be 5 types of placentation in plants. These are as follows:
1. Marginal placentation: The placenta forms a ridge along the ventral suture of the ovary and the ovules develop on two separate rows in marginal placentation e.g. peas.
2. Parietal placentation: When the ovules develop on the inner walls of the ovary, the ovary is said to have parietal placentation.
3. Axile placentation: In axile placentation, the placenta is axial and ovules are attached to it e.g. China rose, lemon, and tomato.
4. Basal placentation: In basal placentation, the placenta develops from its base and a single ovule is found attached to the base. It is found in marigolds and sunflowers.
5. Free central placentation: The ovules develop on the central axis while the septa are absent in free central placentation. This type of placentation is found in Dianthus and primrose.