What is the role of the pistil in a flower?

The pistil plays a crucial role in the reproductive process of flowering plants, serving as the female reproductive organ. It typically consists of three main parts: the stigma, style, and ovary. The stigma is the part that receives pollen, which is critical for fertilization to occur. Once pollen is deposited on the stigma, it travels down the style to the ovary, where ovules are housed. Fertilization occurs within the ovary, leading to the development of seeds.

Understanding the pistil's function is essential in the context of plant reproduction, particularly in how it contributes to the formation of seeds and fruits that enable plant species to propagate. This role contrasts sharply with the functions of other flower parts, such as the stamen, which produces pollen, or the structural components like petals and sepals, which serve different purposes within the plant's reproductive strategy.