The region of an ovule or seed where the integuments and nucellus are fused together, typically located opposite to the micropyle. In seeds, the chalaza often appears as a distinct area and may be involved in nutrient transport to the developing embryo.
From Greek 'chalaza' meaning 'hailstone' or 'lump,' referring to the often thickened or prominent appearance of this region. The term was adopted into botanical terminology during detailed anatomical studies of ovule and seed structure in the 19th century.
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