What is the Difference Between Imbricate and Twisted Aestivation?

Imbricate and twisted aestivation are two types of arrangements of floral parts, such as petals and sepals, in a flower bud before it opens. The main differences between them are:

• Imbricate Aestivation: In this type of aestivation, the sepals and petals overlap each other in a non-specific direction. The margins of the appendages overlap one another, but not in any regular fashion or direction. An example of a plant with imbricate aestivation is Gulmohar.
• Twisted Aestivation: In this type of aestivation, the sepals and petals overlap each other in one specific direction. The overlapping of the calyx (sepals) or corolla (petals) is regular, and one petal margin overlaps that of the next one, while the other petal margin overlaps that of the next one. The flowers of Hibiscus, okra, and cotton are examples of plants with twisted aestivation.

In summary, the key difference between imbricate and twisted aestivation lies in the direction and regularity of the overlapping of floral parts in the flower bud. Imbricate aestivation exhibits non-specific, disordered overlapping, while twisted aestivation shows specific, ordered overlapping in one direction.

Comparative Table: Imbricate vs Twisted Aestivation

Imbricate and twisted aestivation are two types of floral arrangements in plants, where the sepals or petals are organized in specific ways. Here is a table comparing the differences between the two:

In imbricate aestivation, the appendages (sepals or petals) overlap each other, but the overlapping does not follow any regular direction or position. In twisted aestivation, on the other hand, the appendages overlap one another in a specific direction and position, giving the corolla a folded appearance.