Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The androecium is the male reproductive part of a flower, consisting of all the stamens. Each stamen typically includes an anther, which produces pollen, and a filament.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
The androecium is composed of multiple stamens, each consisting of a filament and an anther.
Anthers contain pollen sacs where microsporogenesis occurs to produce pollen grains.
The androecium surrounds the gynoecium (female reproductive organs) in most flowers.
Stamen number and structure can vary widely among different plant species, affecting pollination mechanisms.
Cross-pollination often involves transfer of pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another, facilitated by wind or pollinators.
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Related terms
Gynoecium: The female reproductive part of a flower, consisting of one or more carpels.
Pollen Grain: The male gametophyte that carries sperm cells for fertilization in seed plants.
Microsporogenesis: The process by which microspores are formed from microsporocytes within the anthers.