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Glite Dictionary
pistillode

pistillode

9.9
A non-working part of a flower that looks female but only has male parts
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪstɪloʊd/
  • Specialized
: pistilo vestigial
  • Although it looks like a pistil, the pistillode does not function in reproduction.

Examples

  • The botanist noted that the flower contained a distinct pistillode alongside its stamens.

  • In some species, the pistillode can be used to distinguish male from female flowers.

  • The pistillode does not produce ovules.

  • Many flowers exhibit a pistillode in their structure.

  • The botanist identified the pistillode, which resembled a pistil but lacked reproductive capabilities.

  • During the examination, the flower's structure revealed a pistillode along with several stamens.

  • In the study of flowering plants, the pistillode is crucial for understanding their reproductive anatomy.

Surface Forms

pistillode singular
pistillodes plural

Morphology

pistillode = pistil (opaque) = pistil + ode

Although formed from 'pistil' + the combining form '-ode', the suffix is a rare technical form and the specific meaning 'sterile or vestigial pistil' is not predictable for general learners.

Etymology

Pistillode comes from pistil, the female part of a flower, and the ending -ode meaning 'like', so it literally means 'pistil-like'. A pistillode is therefore a pistil that looks like the real one but is sterile or reduced and often only produces stamens.