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Cactaceae

9-Opuntia flower in longitudinal section

[FMP-field: image]

Flowers of Cactaceae have an inferior ovary that is embedded within stem tissue. In this section, you can see areoles on the outside of the ovary, which indicates that this is stem tissue. The gynoecium is syncarpous, there is a single locule in the ovary, and the placentation is parietal.

Photo by K. R. Robertson at Thompson-Fulton Nature Preserve in northwestern Illinois.

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