Pronunciation: [pˈɪstɪl] (IPA) 
The word "pistil" is spelled with the consonant cluster "st" and the vowel sound /ɪ/. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈpɪstəl/. The /p/ sound is followed by the short /ɪ/ sound, which is then followed by the consonant cluster /st/. The final syllable contains the short /əl/ sound. This word refers to the female reproductive part of a flower and is commonly used in botany and plant biology.
The term "pistil" refers to a female reproductive organ found in the flowers of angiosperms. Also known as the gynoecium, this essential component plays a crucial role in the sexual reproduction of flowering plants. The pistil is comprised of three main parts: the stigma, the style, and the ovary.
Firstly, the stigma is the topmost part of the pistil that receives and recognizes pollens from male reproductive organs, facilitating fertilization. Its surface is often sticky or covered in fine hairs, enhancing its pollen-trapping ability. Connected to the stigma is the style, a long, slender tube or structure that acts as a bridge between the stigma and the ovary.
Secondly, the style provides support and guidance for the growth of pollen tubes, which transport male gametes to reach the ovules. The ovary is the base or bottom part of the pistil, containing one or more ovules that house the female gametes. After successful fertilization, the ovary develops into a fruit, protecting the developing seeds.
The pistil's crucial function is to receive pollen, facilitate fertilization, and subsequently develop into fruit to ensure seed dispersal. It contributes significantly to the reproductive success and diversity of flowering plants, making it a vital feature of their life cycle. The varied forms, shapes, and arrangements of pistils among plants showcase the diverse adaptability and evolutionary strategies of angiosperms.
The female part of a flower, consisting of the ovary and stigma, with or without a style.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
In bot., the seed-bearing organ, occupying the centre of a flower, consisting of an upper part or stigma, a central part or style, and a lower or ovarium, containing the young seeds called ovules.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "pistil" comes from the Latin word "pistillum", which means "pestle" or "pounder". The term was used in Latin to refer to the tool used to crush or grind things in a mortar. Over time, the word "pistillum" evolved in meaning and was later adopted in botany to describe the female reproductive part of a flower, which resembles a pestle. Thus, the word "pistil" was derived from its Latin root, indicating the resemblance between the flower's reproductive organ and the pestle used for grinding.
