Hemitropy

/ˌhɛmɪˈtroʊpi/ noun

Definition

The condition or quality of being hemitropic or hemitropous; partial rotational orientation or turning.

Etymology

From hemitrop- + -y (suffix for conditions or qualities). Related to the broader botanical terminology for describing seed and ovule structures.

Kelly Says

Hemitropy in seeds is like nature's way of saying 'good enough'—while some plants flip their ovules completely and others keep them straight, some settle for a 45-degree angle, which apparently works perfectly for their survival strategy.

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