Toward the outer edge of the receptacle are the sepals-leaflike structues which,like the outer scales of a leaf bud, protect the flower in the early stages of development. Next are the petals, usually bright colored and forming the corolla. The petals alternate with the sepals but are on a second ring nearer the center of the receptacle. Inside this second ring are the stamens, which consist of anthers (containing pollen) carried on the ends of the long slender filament.ln the center of the receptacle is the pistil, at the tip of which is the stigma, an area that is frequently feathery with a sticky surface.The style is a tube leading to a hollow chamber at the base (the ovary),which contains the egg cells and ovules. Flower of this type are said to be complete and are found in most dicotyledonous plants, but sometimes one of the four principal parts is missing. Then the flowers are said to be incomplete