1.Calyx: The calyx is green, with five sepals present as pointed teeth at the free end of the calyx. The base of the calyx is enclosed by two green leaves, the epicalyx.
2.Corolla: The corolla is brightly-colored with five petals. The petals are of different sizes and shapes. It consists of a large purple standard petal enclosing two lateral wing petals which are also purple. Separating the two wing petals will reveal two small, yellowish-green keel petals. These petals together form a trough-like keel which encloses the reproductive organs.
3.Androecium: The androecium consists of ten stamens with comparatively long filaments. The filaments of nine of the stamens are fused along most of their length to form a hollow tube or "trough" enclosing the gynoecium. The tenth stamen is free. Nectar secreted by the flower collects at the bottom of the stamen trough. Thus the nectar can be reached only by an insect with a long proboscis, e.g. a bee or butterfly.
4.Gynoecium: The gynoecium consists of a single carpel. The ovary is long and narrow with a single row of ovules. The style is a long, curved structure and is hairy just below the stigma.
The flower belongs to the papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped family). It is irregular and bilaterally symmetrical.
2.Corolla: The corolla is brightly-colored with five petals. The petals are of different sizes and shapes. It consists of a large purple standard petal enclosing two lateral wing petals which are also purple. Separating the two wing petals will reveal two small, yellowish-green keel petals. These petals together form a trough-like keel which encloses the reproductive organs.
3.Androecium: The androecium consists of ten stamens with comparatively long filaments. The filaments of nine of the stamens are fused along most of their length to form a hollow tube or "trough" enclosing the gynoecium. The tenth stamen is free. Nectar secreted by the flower collects at the bottom of the stamen trough. Thus the nectar can be reached only by an insect with a long proboscis, e.g. a bee or butterfly.
4.Gynoecium: The gynoecium consists of a single carpel. The ovary is long and narrow with a single row of ovules. The style is a long, curved structure and is hairy just below the stigma.
The flower belongs to the papilionaceous (butterfly-shaped family). It is irregular and bilaterally symmetrical.
