They may represent the floral form of a particular species, or may be generalized to characterize higher taxa, usually giving ranges of numbers of organs.

[2] The format of floral formulae differs according to the tastes of particular authors and periods, yet they tend to convey the same information.

[2] The first authors using them were Cassel[3] (1820) who first devised lists of integers to denote numbers of parts in named whorls; and Martius[4] (1828).

Sattler's[9] Organogenesis of Flowers (1973) takes advantage of floral formulae and diagrams to describe the ontogeny of 50 plant species.

[2] Ronse De Craene (2010)[1] partially utilized their way of writing the formulae in his book Floral Diagrams.

"V" used by Prenner et al. for the number of ovules per gynoecium is followed by lowercase letter describing the type of placentation.

Fusion of one organ type can be shown by enclosing the number in a circle, fusion of different organs can be represented by ties, as e.g. in Judd et al. Prenner et al. state that this method is difficult to achieve via standard typesetting.

↯ K3 [C3 A1°–3°+½:2°] Ğ(3)[1]: 39  – the formula of Canna indica; asymmetric flower; calyx of three free sepals; corolla of three free petals joined with androecium; androecium in two whorls, the outer whorl contains 1–3 staminodes, the inner contains ½ of a stamen and 2 staminodes; gynoecium fused of 3 carpels, inferior ovary B BtC K3:(2)C↓ C3:2r↓ A(3):2r↓+4r:10 G1↓ Vm8–10[2]: 246  – the formula of Tamarindus indica; bract and petaloid bracteoles; monosymmetric calyx of three and two petaloid sepals; monosymmetric corolla of three and two reduced petals; two whorls of stamens, the outer monosymmetric from three fused and two reduced stamens, the inner of 4 reduced and 1 lost stamen; monosymmetric gynoecium of 1 carpel with superior ovary; marginal placentation with 8–10 ovules per gynoecium.