anatropous
- adjective
- /ˌænəˈtroʊpəs/
- Specialized
- Botanists distinguish anatropous from orthotropous ovules based on orientation.
Examples
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In many flowering plants, the ovules are anatropous.
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The anatropous ovule is crucial for proper seed development.
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The anatropous ovule is the most common type found in flowering plants.
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Under the microscope, the anatropous structure is evident in this species' reproductive system.
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The anatropous ovule is the most common type found in flowering plants.
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Under the microscope, the anatropous structure is evident in this species' reproductive system.
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In many flowering plants, the ovules are anatropous.
Synonyms
Placed or turned so the top and bottom are swapped
Compounds
- Specialized
A seed part in a flower turned completely upside down so its tiny opening faces the part that holds it
Surface Forms
Morphology
anatropous = ana + trop + ous
Formed from Greek combining elements (ana- ‘back’ + trop- ‘turn’ + -ous) that are not productive or familiar to average learners and yield a specialized botanical meaning that is not directly guessable.
Etymology
Anatropous comes from Greek parts ana- 'back' and trop- 'turn'. It literally means 'turned back', so imagine an ovule flipped 180 degrees on its stalk with its opening lying close to the stalk.