Q.Explain what a floral formula is and what each symbol represents.

The Floral Diagram

A floral diagram is a schematic, cross-sectional representation of a flower, drawn as if the flower were cut straight across and viewed from above. It shows the number of members in each floral whorl, whether those members are free or fused, and — importantly — how the parts of one whorl are arranged with respect to the parts of the whorls above and below it (for example, whether the petals alternate with the sepals, or whether the stamens are positioned opposite the petals or alternating with them). The diagram also shows the position of the mother axis (the stem or floral axis, conventionally drawn above the flower in the diagram) and the subtending bract, if present (conventionally drawn below the flower), because the orientation of the flower's parts is always described relative to these two reference points. By presenting the whole arrangement visually, a floral diagram communicates spatial relationships among floral parts — such as whether the ovary is superior or inferior, or how many locules it has — far more immediately than a written description could on its own, which is why it is included as a standard companion to every technical family description.

The Floral Formula

A floral formula condenses the same information into a single line of symbols, letters, and numbers, making it possible to represent a flower's structure in a compact, universally readable notation. Each floral whorl is represented by a standard letter: Br or a bract symbol for the bract, K for calyx (sepals), C for corolla (petals), P for perianth (used when calyx and corolla are not distinguishable, as in many monocots), A for androecium (stamens), and G for gynoecium (carpels). Following each letter, a number indicates how many members are present in that whorl; if the number is large or variable, the symbol for infinity may be used instead of a specific count. …