petal

[pet-l]

petal, one of the four basic parts of a flower, next innermost organ from the sepal. The whorl of petals is known collectively as the corolla [Lat.,=little crown]. The number of petals is usually constant within groups (e.g., five in the rose family), as are the numbers of the other organs. Identification by number is, however, complicated by various factors; the petals may be fused, inconspicuous, or entirely absent, in which case their role as the showy part of the flower is sometimes supplanted by modified leaves, the bracts, as in the dogwood and poinsettia, or by modified stamens, as in the canna and the lady's-slipper. Selective breeding can produce petallike stamens (e.g., in cultivated roses and geraniums) and so-called double flowers, i.e., varieties with more than the normal number of petals. Petals are usually brightly colored and often secrete perfume and nectar (in nectaries at the base of the petal) that attract insects and birds needed for cross-pollination. When fertilization has taken place the petals usually drop off; however, in some flowers they persist (see everlasting). In general there are fewer petals and their fusion is greater as the evolutionary development increases. Radially symmetrical arrangement also gives way to bilateral symmetry or even asymmetry.

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Petal, Mississippi

Petal is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States, along the Leaf River. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population is 10,617 per the US Census estimates performed in July 2007.

The American Checkers Federation is based in Petal. Tom Walters (safety for the Washington Redskins) is from Petal. University of Alabama football legend, Ray Perkins, attended Petal High School where he was an All-American. Petal is also the home town of Jerry Edwards, Executive Vice President of The Home Depot,(retired), Syko Shane Coats, An American Professional Wrestler And Rap Artist, and "The Illustrious" Charles West who is also a Professional Wrestler.

Geography

Petal is located at (31.346740, -89.255485).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.7 square miles (25.1 km²), of which, 9.7 square miles (25.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.21%) is water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,579 people, 2,979 households, and 2,079 families residing in the city. The population density was 783.8 people per square mile (302.6/km²). There were 3,208 housing units at an average density of 331.7/sq mi (128.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.93% White, 4.43% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 2,979 households out of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.2% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,637, and the median income for a family was $35,343. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $20,741 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,996. About 11.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The City of Petal is served by the Petal School District. The district has level 5 rated schools from K thru 12. Many parents are attracted to Petal for this reason.