Virtual Museum of Canada
Jardin botanique de Montréal 
Centre for Forest Research

Plant hermaphrodites

The diversity of tree flowers lies in more than just their physical appearance – take their multitude of reproductive strategies, for example. A cherry tree has "perfect" (bisexual or hermaphrodite (Refers to a living organism that possesses both male and female organs.)) flowers, with functional stamens and pistils.

However, this is not true of all perfect flowers. Although those of a sugar maple have both stamens and pistils, often only one sex is functional.

Photo of many perfect flowers, or hermaphrodite, of a bird cherry (Prunus padus)
Prunus padus
© Jardin botanique de Montréal (Gilles Murray)
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