Haplochlamydeous

/ˌhæpləkləˈmɪdiəs/ adjective

Definition

Having flowers with a single floral envelope (the perianth) rather than separate sepals and petals.

Etymology

From Greek haplos (single) + chlamys (cloak) + -ous suffix. A botanical term referring to flowers where the calyx and corolla aren't distinct structures but fused into one covering.

Kelly Says

This 12-syllable botanical term describes a simple fact about certain flowers—they have one flower envelope instead of two—yet it's so obscure that even trained botanists sometimes have to look it up!

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