Petal


A petal from Ancient Greek petalon leaf, thin plate, regarded as a highly customized leaf, is one member or part of the corolla of a flower. The corolla is the name for all of the petals of a flower; the internal perianth whorl, word used when this is not the same in appearance (color, shape) as the outermost whorl (the calyx) and is used to attract pollinators based on its bright color. It is the inner part of the perianth that comprises the germ-free parts of a flower and consists of inner and outer tepals. These tepals are frequently differentiated into petals and sepals. The term tepal is usually useful when the petals and sepals are alike in shape and color. In a typical flower the petals are showy and colored and enclose the reproductive parts. The number of petals in a flower (see merosity) is analytic of the plant's classification: eudicots (the largest group of dicots) having typically four or five petals and monocots and magnoliids having three, or some multiple of three, petals.