Dynamic attributes of the pedicel: Key drivers, structure and function in angiosperms

Pedicels, the short specialized stems that support reproductive structures in flowering plants, play diverse roles throughout plant development, yet many of their functions remain insufficiently understood. Morphologically and anatomically, they share several features with the main stem, including similar epidermal, cortical, and vascular traits. Variation in pedicel length, branching angle, and orientation influences floral and inflorescence architecture, thereby shaping floral display patterns and ultimately affecting reproductive success. Functionally, pedicels provide mechanical support, maintain vascular continuity between flowers and inflorescence axes, and facilitate the transport of nutrients, water, hormones, and signaling molecules to flowers and developing fruits. Recent studies highlight their additional roles in pollen presentation and seed dispersal, in which pedicel orientation aids effective interactions with pollinators and dispersal agents. Pedicels also serve as important sites of abscission, initiating enzymatic processes that lead to the detachment of flower or fruit. Advances in developmental genetics have identified numerous genes and transcription factors involved in pedicel formation, orientation, and functional modulation. Despite these insights, significant gaps remain, particularly regarding how pedicels adapt structurally and functionally to different pollination strategies. Further integrative research is required to clarify the developmental, ecological, and evolutionary significance of this understudied floral organ.