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Glite Dictionary
cryptogamous

cryptogamous

9.9
Relating to plants like ferns and mosses that do not have flowers or seeds and reproduce by spores
  • adjective
  • /ˌkrɪp.təˈɡeɪ.məs/
  • Archaic
: criptogámico
  • Some ferns and mosses are classified as cryptogamous plants because they do not produce flowers or seeds.

Examples

  • The forest floor was covered with various cryptogamous species, including liverworts and lichens.

  • The botanist specialized in the study of cryptogamous organisms found in humid environments.

  • The cryptogamous plants thrive in moist environments.

  • Ferns are a type of cryptogamous plant.

  • Some ferns and mosses are classified as cryptogamous plants because they do not produce flowers or seeds.

  • The forest floor was covered with various cryptogamous species, including liverworts and lichens.

  • The botanist specialized in the study of cryptogamous organisms found in humid environments.

Synonyms

cryptogamic
vscryptogamous
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Relating to plants like ferns, mosses, and fungi that make spores instead of seeds

is limited to spore-reproducing plants rather than including fungi
sporogenous
vscryptogamous
  • Specialized
9.9

Producing spores that plants or fungi use to reproduce

refers to whole spore-reproducing organisms rather than cell-level spore production

Surface Forms

cryptogamous positive

Morphology

cryptogamous = cryptogam (semi-transparent) = cryptogam + ous

Formed from the noun 'cryptogam' + suffix '-ous'; the morphological relation is clear but 'cryptogam' is a technical term that many learners may not know.

Etymology

The word cryptogamous comes from Greek parts crypto- meaning 'hidden' and -gamous meaning 'marriage', like in monogamy. It was used for plants whose 'marriage' or way of reproducing is hidden, because they do not make flowers or seeds.