What is gynoecium? List the parts of gynoecium.

The gynoecium is the female reproductive part of a flower in angiosperms (flowering plants). It is also commonly referred to as the "pistil." The gynoecium is responsible for producing and housing the female reproductive cells and facilitating fertilization and seed formation. It is made up of several parts, including:

Ovary: The ovary is the enlarged basal portion of the gynoecium that contains one or more ovules. The ovules are the structures that house the female gametes (eggs) and develop into seeds after fertilization.

Style: The style is a slender, elongated structure that connects the ovary to the stigma. It provides a pathway for the pollen tube to grow from the stigma to the ovary during fertilization.

Stigma: The stigma is the receptive tip of the style where pollen grains land and germinate. It is often sticky or textured to facilitate pollen adhesion and germination.

These three structures—ovary, style, and stigma—make up the basic components of the pistil or gynoecium. The gynoecium can be composed of a single pistil (simple gynoecium) or multiple fused pistils (compound gynoecium), which can have a range of arrangements.

In some cases, the gynoecium may also have additional structures like a disc or nectar-producing glands to attract pollinators. The gynoecium is an essential part of the flower's reproductive system, working in conjunction with the male reproductive part (androecium) to ensure successful pollination, fertilization, and seed formation.