[[Image:PoppyFlowers -flowers-Musselburgh-ScotlandSpring at the White House.jpg|thumb|right|200px300px|Flowers in the Rose Garden, The [[Poppy|PoppiesWhite House]] in a field]]A '''flower''' is the reproductive organ bloom or blossom of many a [[plant]]s, and the part of a seed plant comprising the reproductive organs. It can be an [[perfect flowers|perfect flower]] (capable of self-pollination) or an [[imperfect flowers|imperfect flower]]. A typical flower will have the male gametes, or [[pollen]], held on small stalks which make it easy for the pollen to leave the flower for [[pollination]], either via air currents or animal vectors ([[insect]], [[bird]]s, or [[batbeetle]]s). The female gametes, which are the future [[seed]]s, are be contained in the base of the flower, and pollen grains that are transported there merge with them to form the next generation.
Plants that produce flowers are called [[flowering plant]]s, or angiosperms. <ref>[http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/sciences/botanicalsciences/plantreproduction/angiosperms/angiosperms.htm botanical sciences - angiosperms]</ref> Not all [[baraminology|kinds]] of plants are thus classified; for example, [[fern]]s produce [[spore]]s rather than flowers and are therefore not classified as angiosperms.
Flowers, besides their botanical function, are often prized by humans for their beauty. Many plants have been selectively bred to produce flowers with great appeal to us. Perhaps the [[rose]] is the best example of this.
Flowers are often a traditional part of important occasions such as [[wedding]]s, funerals and graduations. They are often given to celebrate a happy occasion or given as a "thank you" or housewarming gift, or to cheer up someone in the hospital. It is traditional to give flowers on holidays including [[Valentine's Day]], [[Mother's Day]] and on birthdays.
There are also many well known pictures of flowers by famous painters such as [[ImageClaude Monet]] and [[Paul Cézanne]].[[File:Flowers - Spring at the White HouseMonet Bouquet de soleils.jpg|thumb|left|400px300px|Flowers prepare to bloom in the [[Rose GardenClaude Monet, Bouquet de soleils]], The [[White HouseImage:Cézanne Vase of Flowers.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Paul Cézanne]], Vase of Flowers]]
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== See also Also ==[[File:Garden, Kolpino, Russia.jpg|thumb|Garden, Kolpino, [[Russia]].]]
*[[State flowers]]
*[[WalnutMountain laurel]]*[[LimeCherokee Rose]]*[[Violet (flower)]]*[[Achillea millefolium]]*[[Plant]] *[[Garden]] *[[:Category:Gardening|Gardening]] *[[Sowing]]*[[Permaculture]]*[[Glossary of gardening terms]] == External Links ==* [http://www.britannica.com/search?query=flower Britannica Online] Flower
==References==
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[[Category : Gardening Glossary]][[Category:Botany]][[Category:Flowers| ]][[Category : Gardening]]