Adnation

Adnation, in botany, refers to the fusion or congenital union of different kinds of floral parts, such as the stamens to the petals, or the petals to the ovary. This fusion results in the parts appearing to be attached to each other, even though they are fundamentally different organs. Adnation is distinguished from connation, which describes the fusion of similar floral parts (e.g., petals fusing together to form a tubular corolla). The concept is crucial in understanding flower morphology and classification. The extent and type of adnation are key characteristics used in identifying and differentiating plant species and families.