Hemitropal

/ˌhɛmɪˈtroʊpəl/ adjective

Definition

In botany, describing an ovule that is partially inverted or turned relative to its stalk.

Etymology

From hemi- (half) + tropal (from Greek tropos meaning turn). A botanical term developed to classify ovule orientations more precisely than earlier terminology.

Kelly Says

A hemitropal ovule is angled at about 45 degrees to its stalk—while this sounds obscure, it's actually important for botanists identifying plant species because different plants position their ovules differently as they evolved.

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