The colorful, often fragrant parts of a flower that surround the reproductive organs and attract pollinators.
From Greek petalon meaning 'leaf' or 'thin plate', related to petannumi meaning 'to spread out'. The botanical term was adopted in the 18th century.
Petals are essentially modified leaves that evolved to be advertisements - their colors, patterns, and scents are all marketing strategies to attract specific pollinators! Each species has evolved its own unique 'brand identity'.
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