A flower arises at the axil of a leaf-like structure called bract. Since bracts are large structures of vivid colours, they are often mistaken for petals. This serves to attract insects, hence, helps for pollination. Bracts also vary from leaves in the foliage. They may be smaller, more significant, or of a colour, form, or texture different.

The gynoecium is the female reproductive organ of a flower. Carpels are the units of the gynoecium. The number of carpels in a flower varies. In a multicarpellery condition, the carpels are free is called apocarpous condition. For example, water lily has apocarpous gynoecium, which means many, free and unfused carpels are present. When gynoecium is merged into a single structure with several carpels, it is called syncarpous gynoecium.