What is the role of the ovary in flowering plants?

The ovary is the enlarged base of the pistil, the female part of a flower. It plays a key role in reproduction by protecting the ovules (which contain egg cells) and later developing into the fruit after fertilization. In short, the ovary is where fertilization happens and where both fruits and seeds begin to form.

Roles of the Ovary

• Holds and protects the ovules: The ovary contains the ovules, which have the female reproductive cells (egg cells) needed for fertilization.
• Forms the fruit: After pollination and fertilization, the ovary grows and ripens into a fruit. The fruit’s job is to protect the seeds and help them spread to new places.
• Supports fertilization: During reproduction, pollen from the male part of the flower lands on the stigma, moves through the style, and reaches the ovary. Here, it fertilizes the ovules, leading to the formation of seeds and fruit.