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Glite Dictionary
Catasetum macrocarpum

Catasetum macrocarpum

9.9
A tropical orchid with male and female flowers on one flower cluster that shoots out pollen when touched
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Catasetum macrocarpum
  • When triggered, the male flower of Catasetum macrocarpum quickly ejects its pollen.

Examples

  • The Catasetum macrocarpum displays both male and female flowers on the same flower cluster.

  • Botanists are fascinated by the unique pollination mechanism of Catasetum macrocarpum.

  • The Catasetum macrocarpum is a fascinating tropical orchid.

  • Many gardeners admire the Catasetum macrocarpum for its unique flowers.

  • Researchers study how Catasetum macrocarpum releases its pollen when touched.

  • The striking appearance of the Catasetum macrocarpum attracts both botanists and flower enthusiasts.

  • Each Catasetum macrocarpum plant can produce both male and female flowers, enhancing its reproductive success.

Synonyms

jumping orchid
vsCatasetum macrocarpum
8.4

A plant with male and female flowers on one stem that sends out pollen when touched

is the formal Latin name used in scientific contexts

Surface Forms

Catasetum macrocarpum singular
Catasetum macrocarpums plural

Morphology

Catasetum + macrocarpum

This is a Latin binomial: knowing 'Catasetum' would allow a learner to infer it is an orchid genus, so the name signals it is a type of orchid. However, the detailed species properties in the definition (male and female flowers on the same raceme and a pollen-ejection mechanism) are not predictable from the name, and the epithet 'macrocarpum' is a Latin compound unlikely to be fully understood by a B1 learner, so the compositional information is only partial.

Etymology

Catasetum macrocarpum is a tropical orchid with a dramatic trick: its male flowers act like tiny catapults and, when touched, they quickly fire a sticky packet of 'pollen' onto an insect. Because the plant has both male flowers and female flowers on the same flower cluster, this sudden firing is how it moves 'pollen' and explains its unusual pollination.