Floral formula
Introduction


A **floral formula** is a [notation](/wiki/Notation "Notation") for representing the structure of particular types of [flowers](/wiki/Flower "Flower"). Such notations use numbers, letters and various symbols to convey significant information in a compact form. They may represent the floral form of a particular species, or may be generalized to characterize higher [taxa](/wiki/Taxon "Taxon"), usually giving ranges of numbers of organs. Floral formulae are one of the two ways of describing flower structure developed during the 19th century, the other being [floral diagrams](/wiki/Floral_diagram "Floral diagram"). The format of floral formulae differs according to the tastes of particular authors and periods, yet they tend to convey the same information.

A floral formula is often used along with a [floral diagram](/wiki/Floral_diagram "Floral diagram").


Do floral diagrams provide the same information as floral formulae?