Bearing or producing hidden or concealed fruits or seeds, describing plants whose reproductive structures are not easily visible.
From 'cryptocarp' with the adjectival suffix '-ous' (meaning 'full of' or 'having'). This technical botanical term was established in 19th-century plant classification to identify plants with hidden fruit-bearing characteristics.
Mosses and ferns are cryptocarpous—their reproductive structures are tucked into microscopic scales or hidden under leaves. They evolved this way long before flowering plants, which is why 'crypto-' became such a useful prefix in botany.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.