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achlamydeous

achlamydeous

9.9
Having no petals or sepals around a flower
  • adjective
  • /ˌeɪkləˈmaɪdiəs/
  • Specialized
: achlamídeo
  • Botanists often describe flowers without petals or sepals as achlamydeous.

Examples

  • Some primitive flowering plants are classified as achlamydeous because they lack a true perianth.

  • Is the flower achlamydeous or does it have a perianth?

  • The identification key noted whether the specimen was achlamydeous or possessed a distinct floral envelope.

  • The achlamydeous species of plants have unique reproductive strategies.

  • Botanists often describe flowers without petals or sepals as achlamydeous.

  • Some primitive flowering plants are classified as achlamydeous because they lack a true perianth.

  • The identification key noted whether the specimen was achlamydeous or possessed a distinct floral envelope.

Antonyms

chlamydeous
  • Specialized
9.9

Having both the outer and inner leaf-like parts of a flower

Surface Forms

achlamydeous positive

Morphology

achlamydeous = chlamydeous (opaque) = a + chlamyd + eous

Formation by the privative prefix 'a-' added to the adjective 'chlamydeous' is a regular, recoverable morphological step.

Etymology

The word achlamydeous comes from Greek parts a- 'without' and chlamys 'cloak', a helpful image for a flower with no covering. So an achlamydeous flower lacks the usual 'cloak' of petals or sepals.