Shape Name and Description Example Campanulate
(Bell-shaped) A flower with a wide tube and flared lobes (petal tips), typical of the Bellflower family (Campanulaceae). The length of the tube is variable, and the open-ness of the flower, but campanulate is generally shorter and fatter than tubular, and more closed than stellate.
The example is Campanula cochlearifolia.
(Funnel-shaped) A flower that widens gradually from the base, ending in an open or flared shape.
The example is Cyrtanthus elatus.
A flower that starts as a narrow tube, but widens into a flared mouth, where the petals often turn back.
The example is Petunia grandiflora.
A flower with a long, thin tube, that widens suddenly into a flat-faced flower.
The example is Plumbago auriculata.
A flower with a long, thin, straight-sided tube formed of united petals, often separating at the mouth into a flared shape.
The example is a Kniphofia hybrid.
(Urn-shaped) A flower in which the petals are fused into an almost enclosed globe shape, separating at the mouth into individual flared petals.
The example is Erica tetralix.
A flower with a deep dish shape, roughly hemispherical, with straight sides or with a very slight flare at the tips. Much the same as cup-shaped.
The example is Argemone mexicana.
A flower that is almost flat, with slightly upturned petal tips.
The example is Geranium wallichianum.
(Star-shaped) A flower with many narrow petals arising separately from a central point.
The example is Sisyrinchium bermudianum album.
(Cross-shaped) A flower with four petals at right angles to one another. Typical of members of the Cabbage Family (Brassicaceae).
The example is an unknown tropical species.
(Lipped) A flower divided into an upper 'hood' and a lower flat or pouched lip, typical of members of the Deadnettle/Mint Family (Lamiaceae).
The example is Salvia texensis.
(Pea-shaped) The flower shape typical of members of the Papilionaceae, having a large upper petal called the standard, two large side petals called wings, and two lower petals, often fused together, called the keel, which encloses the stamens and stigma.
The example is Parochetus communis.
(Strap-shaped) A flower with one large, long, thin petal, typical of ray-florets of the Aster/Daisy Family (Asteraceae). These look like single petals but are all individual flowers, each one capable of producing its own seed.
The example is Cosmos bipinnatus.
As with leaf shapes and the arrangement of flowers, these descriptions can only give you a general idea of the shapes of flowers. Very often, flowers are not quite any of these shapes, but are something in between. Many flowers in the Campanula family are described as tubular bells, meaning they are rather longer than a bell shape, but still have flared tips. Often a flower will start off with a bowl shape, and will open wider even than a saucer and the tips of the petals will curl outwards and under. It is often difficult to tell whether any particular flower is a trumpet or a funnel - how much of a tube does it need to be a trumpet, or where exactly is the dividing line between a trumpet and a salver? Cups, saucers and bowls can seem very similar. I'd describe the buttercups in my garden as saucer-shaped. These are the main shapes most 'experts' recognise, but the flowers in our gardens may have different ideas!
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