Catapetalous

/ˌkætəˈpɛtələs/ adjective

Definition

In botany, describing flowers where the petals fall away as a complete unit rather than individually.

Etymology

From Greek 'kata' (down) + 'petalon' (petal) + '-ous' (full of), a botanical term for specific petal drop patterns.

Kelly Says

Some flowers like apple blossoms are catapetalous—they drop all their petals at once in a beautiful carpet on the ground, which is actually a clever way to protect the developing fruit!

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