What distinguishes a complete flower from an incomplete flower?

A complete flower is characterized by the presence of all four main floral parts: sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels. When any of these structures is missing, the flower is classified as incomplete. This distinction is crucial in botany because it reflects on the reproductive capabilities and adaptations of various plant species.

In contrast, flowers that lack one or more of these essential parts may still be functional in terms of reproduction, but they may have different strategies or limitations compared to complete flowers. Understanding this distinction helps in the study of plant reproduction and the evolution of flowering plants.