A floral formula
is a way to represent the structure of a flower using specific letters,
numbers, and symbols. Typically, a general formula will be used to represent
the flower structure of a plant
family rather than a
particular species. The following representations are used:
Ca = calyx (sepal whorl; e.g. Ca5
= 5 sepals)
Co = corolla (petal whorl; e.g., Co3(x) = petals some
multiple of three )
Z = add if zygomorphic (e.g., CoZ6 =
zygomorphic with 6 petals)
A = androecium (whorl of stamens; e.g., A∞ = many
stamens)
G = gynoecium (carpel or carpels; e.g., G1 =
monocarpous)
x - to represent a "variable number"
∞ - to represent "many"
A floral formula would appear something like
this:
Ca5Co5A10 - ∞G1