Organ symmetry establishment during gynoecium development.

Symmetry is a key factor in the morphological diversity and reproductive success of angiosperms (flowering plants). The gynoecium, the female reproductive organ of the flower, displays remarkable variation in symmetry types, ranging from bilateral to radial, from its base (ovary) to its apex (style). Proper tissue growth and differentiation occur along the body axes to form three-dimensional structures and establish symmetric forms within the organ. In this review, we summarise the latest understanding on cellular, molecular and genetic mechanisms governing pivotal symmetry changes during gynoecium development and highlight unresolved questions and potential avenues for future research. Understanding these processes provides valuable insights into the biological networks that regulate symmetry foundation in plant organs, contributing to a broader evolutionary and developmental perspective on plant morphogenesis.