Plural of calyx; the green, leaf-like sepals that form the outer protective layer of a flower, encasing the petals before it blooms.
From Latin 'calyx,' borrowed from Greek 'kalyx' meaning cup or chalice, named for its cup-like shape that holds and protects the developing flower.
The calyx is often overlooked in flower arrangements, but it's actually doing crucial work—those green sepals protect the delicate petals during development and help the flower stay fresh longer after cutting.
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