What is the Difference Between Apocarpous and Syncarpous?

The main difference between apocarpous and syncarpous ovaries lies in the arrangement and fusion of carpels, which are the female reproductive structures in flowers.

Apocarpous Ovary:

• The ovary contains more than one carpel, and the carpels are separate and distinct.
• The ovary can be unilocular, meaning it has a single chamber containing multiple pistils with individual ovaries.
• Apocarpous ovaries are common in the Ranunculaceae family (buttercup family).
• Examples of plants with apocarpous ovaries include Lotus and Rose.

Syncarpous Ovary:

• The ovary contains more than one carpel, but the carpels are fused together.
• The ovary can be either unicellular or multicellular, with a single chamber or multiple fused chambers.
• Syncarpous ovaries are prevalent in the Rosaceae family (rose family).
• Examples of plants with syncarpous ovaries include Tomato and Mustard.

Both apocarpous and syncarpous ovaries can be found in various plant families across the plant kingdom, and they contribute to floral diversity in different ways. Apocarpous ovaries create intricate floral structures with each carpel potentially exhibiting distinct colors, shapes, or sizes, while syncarpous ovaries often result in more symmetrical and uniform floral structures.

Comparative Table: Apocarpous vs Syncarpous

Here is a table comparing the differences between apocarpous and syncarpous ovaries:

• Apocarpous ovaries have two or more unfused carpels, while syncarpous ovaries have two or more fused carpels.
• The pistil in apocarpous ovaries is free, while it is combined in syncarpous ovaries.
• Fruits in apocarpous ovaries appear as aggregates, while only one simple fruit is formed in syncarpous ovaries.
• Examples of plants with apocarpous ovaries include lotus and rose, while examples of plants with syncarpous ovaries include tomato and mustard.