Endocarpal

/ˌɛndoʊˈkɑrpəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or located within the carpel, the female reproductive part of a flower that contains the ovary.

Etymology

From Greek 'endo-' (within) + Latin 'carpus' (fruit) + '-al' (relating to). Botanists created this term to describe structures inside the carpel during flowering plant development.

Kelly Says

The endocarpal tissue where ovules develop becomes the fruit that protects seeds—when you bite into an apple, you're eating what was once the endocarpal walls of the flower.

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