Syngenes

Syngenes, a term primarily used in botany, refers to the condition where the anthers of a flower are united to form a tube or cylinder around the style. This fusion is a form of connation, where similar parts of the same flower are fused together.

In syngenesious flowers, the filaments of the stamens remain free and separate, while the anthers are fused. This condition is a characteristic feature of certain plant families, most notably the Asteraceae (Compositae), or sunflower family.

The syngenesious condition aids in pollination. When a pollinator visits the flower, it brushes against the fused anthers, collecting pollen. As the pollinator moves to another flower, it deposits the pollen onto the stigma. The tubular structure formed by the fused anthers can also facilitate pollen presentation.

The term "syngenesious" is derived from the Greek words "syn" (together) and "genesis" (origin, generation). While primarily used to describe the fused anthers of stamens, the underlying principle of connation can be observed in other floral parts as well, although those instances are not specifically termed "syngenesious."