Is the leguminous flower closed?

Abstract

A variety of gynoecium types in the legume family is briefly reviewed in terms of phyllotaxis and spatial patterning. All variations can be narrowed down to changes in sizes of floral meristem and time of its proliferation. Increase in floral meristem size results in the initiation of more carpels, so the phyllotaxis of floral apex changes from alternate to whorled. Differences between monomerous and polymerous gynoecium in legumes are quantitative and not connected with alternation in floral meristem determinacy.