An inferior ovary is an ovary lying below the level where the perianth and stamens attach, with the surrounding floral tissue fused to it apart from, potentially, a free summit. Epigyny describes the corresponding position of the other floral parts above the ovary. “Inferior” specifies this anatomical relationship, rather than the direction in which a flower happens to point.[ref]
Glossary of Botanical Terms by PlantNET. Entry inferior ovary and Figure 12B; attachment level and fusion with the hypanthium; plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?glossary=yes&ill=Fig.+12+B&page=nswfl&term=inferior+ovary
To identify the arrangement, inspect a lengthwise section through a flower and trace the sepals, petals and stamens to their attachment around the ovary. Merely seeing a cup-shaped hypanthium is insufficient: a superior ovary can stand freely inside such a cup. The attachment and fusion must be checked together.[ref]
Glossary of Botanical Terms by PlantNET. Figure 12, especially comparison of inferior ovary in B with superior ovary and surrounding hypanthium in D
An apple develops as a pome from an inferior ovary; its mature core and surrounding flesh retain the consequences of that floral construction.[ref]
Glossary of Botanical Terms by PlantNET. Entry pome, inferior ovary and enlarged hypanthium
New to topics? Read the docs here!