Cucullate

/ˈkjuːkʌleɪt/ adjective

Definition

Shaped like or having a hood or cowl; hooded in appearance, especially used in botany and zoology to describe hood-shaped structures.

Etymology

From Latin 'cucullatus' (wearing a hood, from cuculla 'hood'). This botanical and zoological term has been in use since at least the 18th century for describing organic structures.

Kelly Says

Plant scientists use 'cucullate' to describe flowers and leaves shaped like little hoods—nature was apparently as obsessed with hood shapes as medieval monks were, from cobra lilies to certain orchid petals!

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