Biology · Morphology of Flowering Plants · NEET
⊕ stands for an actinomorphic flower, meaning it is radially symmetrical and can be cut into equal halves through any plane (like Mustard or Datura). The % sign (a slanted division-type symbol) stands for a zygomorphic flower, meaning it is bilaterally symmetrical and can be cut into equal halves only along one plane (like Pea). NEET loves to swap these two, so lock it in: ⊕ = actinomorphic, % = zygomorphic.
A line drawn ABOVE the G means the ovary is inferior (the flower is epigynous). A line drawn BELOW the G means the ovary is superior (the flower is hypogynous). Simple hook: the bar sits on the OPPOSITE side to the ovary position word. Bar on top = ovary is lower down = inferior. This exact point was tested in NEET 2025.
A floral diagram is a PICTURE. It is a diagrammatic top view of the flower that shows the number of parts in each whorl, how they are arranged, and their position relative to the mother axis (a small dot at the top shows the mother axis). A floral formula is a SHORTHAND written line of symbols and letters that gives the same information as text. Both describe the same flower; one is drawn, one is written.
The number after a letter tells you how many parts are in that whorl. For example K5 means 5 sepals and A5 means 5 stamens. A bracket around the number, like K(5) or C(5), means those parts are FUSED (united). K5 = 5 free sepals; K(5) = 5 fused sepals. A curved line joining two whorls (for example between corolla and androecium) means the stamens are attached to the petals (epipetalous).
Br stands for bracteate, meaning a bract (a small leaf-like structure) is present at the base of the flower. If a flower has no bract it is ebracteate and Br is left out. Brl stands for bracteolate (bracteoles present). These are written at the very start of the floral formula, before the symbols for symmetry and sex.
⚥ means the flower is bisexual (both androecium and gynoecium present). The male symbol (a circle with an arrow) means the flower is staminate (male, only stamens). The female symbol (a circle with a cross below) means the flower is pistillate (female, only carpels). These sex symbols come right after the symmetry symbol.
Statement I: In a floral formula the ⊕ symbol stands for zygomorphic nature of the flower, and G with a bar above it stands for inferior ovary. Statement II: The ⊕ symbol stands for actinomorphic nature of the flower and G with a bar below it stands for superior ovary. Choose the correct answer.
Match the floral formulae in List I with the families in List II. (a) % ⚥ K(5) C1+2+(2) A(9)+1 G1 (b) ⊕ ⚥ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2) (c) ⊕ ⚥ P(3+3) A(3+3) G(3) (d) ⊕ ⚥ K2+2 C4 A2+4 G(2). Families: (i) Brassicaceae (ii) Liliaceae (iii) Fabaceae (iv) Solanaceae.
Try the real previous-year questions from this chapter — each with the answer and a full solution.
The order is: Br (bract) first, then the symmetry symbol (⊕ or %), then the sex symbol (⚥, male or female), then the four whorls in order K (calyx), C (corolla), A (androecium), G (gynoecium). If sepals and petals are alike, P (perianth) replaces K and C.
P stands for perianth. It is used when the calyx (sepals) and corolla (petals) cannot be told apart, so they are treated as one whorl of tepals. Liliaceae is the classic example, written as P(3+3).
Epipetalous means the stamens are joined to the petals. It is shown by a curved line (a bracket-like arc) drawn connecting the C (corolla) and A (androecium) symbols. Solanaceae stamens are epipetalous.
The small dot (or circle) at the top of a floral diagram represents the mother axis (the main stem). It fixes the orientation of the flower so you can mark which side is posterior (towards the axis) and which is anterior (away from it).
Yes. Reading floral formula symbols is directly tested (NEET 2021, 2025). Even after NCERT rationalisation, the symbol meanings — ⊕, %, K, C, A, G, and the ovary bar — remain high-yield and appear almost every year.
