Amphibolostylous

/ˌæmfɪbɑːləˈstaɪləs/ adjective

Definition

In botany, describing a flower or plant where the style (female reproductive structure) is positioned in a variable or ambiguous way relative to the flower's other parts.

Etymology

From amphibolo- (Greek amphi- 'around, both') combined with -stylous (from Greek stylos 'pillar'). The term describes a structure that varies in position or doesn't fit standard categories.

Kelly Says

Even in the plant world, some flowers seem undecided about where to put their reproductive parts—amphibolostylous plants are nature's way of being ambiguous!

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