What is the Difference Between Stamen and Pistil?

The main difference between stamens and pistils lies in their reproductive roles within a flower. Stamens are the male reproductive organs, while pistils are the female reproductive organs. Here are the key differences between stamens and pistils:

Stamens:

• Composed of two parts: the anther and the filament.
• Produce pollen, which contains the male reproductive cells.
• Can be arranged in different ways around the pistil, depending on the type of flower.

Pistils:

• Also known as carpels, they serve as the female reproductive organ of a flower.
• Composed of three parts: the stigma, style, and ovary.
• The stigma is the sticky surface where pollen lands and germinates.
• The style is the long, tube-like structure that connects the stigma to the ovary.
• The ovary contains the female reproductive cells, called ovules.

During the fertilization process, pollen from the stamen lands on the stigma, and a tube grows down the style to enter the ovary. Male reproductive cells travel down the tube and join with the ovule, resulting in fertilization. The fertilized ovule becomes the seed, and the ovary develops into the fruit.

Comparative Table: Stamen vs Pistil

Here is a table comparing the differences between stamens and pistils:

Stamens consist of a filament, a long cylindrical tendril, and an anther, a sac at the top of the filament that produces pollen. In contrast, the pistil, also known as the female reproductive part of a flower, consists of a stigma, style, and ovary, with the ovules (egg cells) produced in the ovary.