Apetalose

/ˌæpɛˈteɪloʊs/ adjective

Definition

Lacking petals or having no petals; characterized by the absence of flower petals.

Etymology

Formed from 'apetal-' (without petals, from Greek 'a-' + 'petalon') combined with the adjectival suffix '-ose' (meaning having or full of). This suffix pattern also appears in 'verbose' and 'bellicose'.

Kelly Says

This is an older botanical term rarely used today—scientists prefer 'apetalous,' but 'apetalose' reminds us that scientific language evolves and sometimes older words fade even within the same field.

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