Carpellary

/kɑːrˈpɛləri/ adjective

Definition

In botany, relating to, containing, or consisting of carpels; describing the female reproductive parts of a flower.

Etymology

From carpel (the female reproductive organ in flowers) plus -ary, a suffix meaning 'of or relating to.' Carpel comes from Greek 'karpos' meaning 'fruit,' as carpels develop into the fruit.

Kelly Says

Carpellary structure determines whether a flower is 'simple' or 'compound'—and this botanical distinction has shaped agriculture, since breeders select certain carpel arrangements to get the fruits they want!

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