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perigone

perigone

9.9
Outer part of a flower with petal-like parts that surround the center
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛrɪˌgoʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : perígono
  • The lily's perigone is made up of six petal-like segments that surround the reproductive organs.

Examples

  • Unlike many other flowers, the tulip has a brightly colored perigone instead of distinct petals and sepals.

  • Botanists often use the structure of the perigone to help identify species in certain plant families.

  • The perigone is beautiful.

  • What is a perigone?

  • Botanists often use the structure of the perigone to help identify species in certain plant families.

  • The lily's perigone is made up of six petal-like segments that surround the reproductive organs.

  • Unlike many other flowers, the tulip has a brightly colored perigone instead of distinct petals and sepals.

Synonyms

perigonium
vsperigone
  • Specialized
9.9

Outer parts of a flower that include the sepals and petals and surround the centre

is used when those parts look similar and are not clearly separated
chlamys
vsperigone
  • Specialized
9.9

The outer parts of a flower, like sepals and petals, that protect its middle

is the term used when the two outer parts are not distinct in appearance
perianth
vsperigone
  • Specialized
9.9

The outer parts of a flower that surround its male and female parts

is used more for cases where the parts blend and lack clear separation
floral envelope
vsperigone
  • Specialized
7.5

Outer parts of a flower, like small leaf parts and colorful petals, that surround its male and female parts

highlights situations where the two parts are visually similar not distinct

Surface Forms

perigone singular
perigones plural

Morphology

perigone = perigon (opaque) = peri + gon

Although built from Greek combining elements (peri- + gon-), the term is a learned botanical loanword whose meaning is not inferable by an average B1 learner from 'peri-' alone.

Etymology

The word perigone comes from the Greek prefix peri- meaning 'around', like in perimeter. So a perigone is the ring of petal-like parts that 'go around' a flower, a handy name for when the sepals and petals look the same.