What is the Difference Between Androecium and Gynoecium

The main difference between androecium and gynoecium is that the androecium (or stamen) refers to the male part of the flower whereas the gynoecium (or pistil or carpel) refers to the female part. 

Androecium and gynoecium are the two, opposite reproductive organs of the flower, the sexual reproductive structures in angiosperms. Androecium is also called stamens, which comprises of anther and filaments while gynoecium is also called the pistil or carpel, which comprises of stigma, style, and ovary. Moreover, androecium produces pollen grains while gynoecium produces ovules.  

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is Androecium
     – Definition, Anatomy, Function
2. What is Gynoecium
     – Definition, Anatomy, Function
3. What are the Similarities Between Androecium and Gynoecium
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Androecium and Gynoecium
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Androecium, Anther, Carpel, Filaments, Flower, Gynoecium, Ovary, Pistil, Stamen, Stigma, Style

What is Androecium 

Androecium is the male reproductive organ of the flower, which produces micropores. It comprises all the stamens in the flower. Each stamen is made up of a filament and an anther. A ring of stamens occurs in the middle of a flower. Filament is the stalk which holds the anther away from the flower. Each anther has two lobes; each connects to the filament at the base. A sterile tissue called the connective holds the two lobes together.  

Figure 1: Stamens of a Hippeastrum Flower

Typically, an anther has four microsporangia, which are also called anther sacs. Tapetum, a nutritive tissue, lines each microsporangium. The diploid microgametocytes in the microsporangium undergo meiosis to produce haploid microspores. The mitotic divisions of microspores produce immature microgametophyte, surrounded by a thick wall. This structure is called the pollen grain. The opening of the anther releases pollen grains to the outside.  

What is Gynoecium 

The gynoecium is the female reproductive organ of the flower, which produces macrospores or ovules. Ultimately, it develops the seeds and fruit. Gynoecium occurs at the center of a flower and is surrounded by the stamens. The three components of a gynoecium are stigma, style, and ovary. Stigma occurs at the tip of the style and it is sticky and feathery to capture pollen grains. The style is the stalk, which holds the stigma away from the flower.  

Figure 2: Androecium and Gynoecium

The enlarged, basal portion is the ovary. It may contain one or several ovules, the integument megasporangia. The cells inside megasporangia undergo meiosis to produce megaspores. Megaspores develop into the female gametophyte, which produces eggs.  

Similarities Between Androecium and Gynoecium 

• Androecium and gynoecium are the two opposite reproductive organs of the flower. 
• They are responsible for the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. 
• They comprise gametocytes, which undergo meiosis to produce gametes. 
• Both facilitate pollination. 

Difference Between Androecium and Gynoecium 

Definition 

Androecium refers to the male fertilizing organ of a flower, typically consisting of a pollen-containing anther and a filament while gynoecium refers to the female organs of a flower, comprising the stigma, style, and ovary.  

Reproductive Organ 

Androecium is the male reproductive organ of the flower while gynoecium is the female reproductive organ. Therfore, this is is the main difference between androecium and gynoecium.

Also Called 

Stamen is another name for Androecium while pistil or carpel are other names for gynoecium.

Components 

While androecium has anthers and filaments, gynoecium has stigma, style, and ovary. 

Gametocytes 

Another difference between androecium and gynoecium is their gametocytes; androecium contains microgametocytes while gynoecium contains megagametophytes.

Type of Spores 

Androecium produces microspores while gynoecium produces macrospores. Furthermore, microspores develop into pollen grain while megaspres occur inside the ovule. This is also an important difference between androecium and gynoecium.

Role in Pollination 

One more difference between androecium and gynoecium is their role in pollination. Lengthened filaments in androecium facilitate the dispersal of pollen grains while the stigma of the gynoecium becomes sticky to keep the pollen grains on it. 

Fertilization 

Furthermore, androecium has no function in fertilization while fertilization occurs inside the ovary of the gynoecium. 

Seeds and fruit 

To add more, the androecium has no function in the development of seeds and fruit while gynoecium facilitates the formation of seeds and fruit. 

In the Flower 

Also, flowers without an androecium are called pistillate or carpellate while the flowers without gynoecium are called staminate. 

Conclusion 

While androecium is the male reproductive organ of the flower, gynoecium is the female reproductive organ. Androecium produces microspores, which develop the male gametocyte while gynoecium produces megaspores, which develop the female gametophyte. This is the main difference between androecium and gynoecium.

Reference:

1. Swafford, Angela Lynn. “Androecium: Definition & Concept.” Study.com, Study.com, Available Here
2. Swafford, Angela Lynn. “Gynoecium: Definition & Concept.” Study.com, Study.com, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Amaryllis stamens aka” By André Karwath aka Aka – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Mature flower diagram” By Mariana Ruiz LadyofHats – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia