Anatropous, in botany, describes an ovule structure in a flower that is inverted. This means the stalk attachment is near the top, and the opening (micropyle) is near the bottom. This is the most common type of ovule found in flowering plants (angiosperms).
In simpler terms, imagine a tiny seed precursor within the flower. In an anatropous ovule:
- Inversion: The ovule is essentially flipped upside down compared to some other, less common ovule types.
- Positioning: The point where the ovule connects to the ovary (the stalk or funiculus) is near the top of the ovule.
- Micropyle Location: The micropyle, a small opening needed for fertilization, is near the bottom of the ovule.
Because it is so common in angiosperms, it is often considered the "default" ovule orientation.
