bases store water and carbohydrates during
the plant’s first year of growth so that they
can be used during the second, when it will
flower and produce seed.
Flowers Flowers are the plant’s reproductive
organs. Here the male pollen and female
ovules are formed; here too they unite in the
chamber that contains the ovules, the ovary,
and develop into embryos and seeds. Flowers
are often brilliantly colored and aromatic to
attract pollinating insects, and can be a
striking ingredient. However, some familiar
plants protect their flowers from animal
predators with toxins, so their edibility should
be checked before use (p. 326). We also eat a
few flowers or their supporting tissues before
they mature; broccoli, cauliflower, and
artichokes are examples.
Fruits The fruit is the organ derived from the
flower’s ovary (or adjacent stem tissue). It
contains the seeds, and promotes their