POLYADELPHIAN Meaning and
Definition
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Polyadelphian is an adjective that refers to a botanical characteristic involving the arrangement of stamens in a flower. Derived from the Greek words "poly" meaning many and "adelphos" meaning brother, it literally translates to "many brothers." In the context of plant reproductive organs, it describes the fusion or cohesion of multiple stamens into a single staminal tube or column.
The term polyadelphian is primarily used in botany to categorize flowers based on their stamen arrangement. When a flower possesses stamens united by their filaments into a distinct tube, be it partially or entirely, the flower is said to be polyadelphian. This characteristic is commonly observed in plants of the pea family (Fabaceae) such as sweet peas, which are known for having ten stamens diadelphian, or in mallow family (Malvaceae) plants, where stamens are often polyadelphian.
Polyadelphian flowers exhibit a higher level of stamen fusion than monodelphian flowers, where all the filaments are separate. This characteristic can be significant in plant taxonomy and classification, as well as in the identification and study of plant reproductive structures. However, it is important to note that the polyadelphian trait is specific to the male reproductive parts of a flower, the stamens, and does not impact the other floral structures like petals, sepals, or pistils.
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Having the stamens united in three or more bundles or parcels, as in the class of plants polyadelphia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for POLYADELPHIAN
- -polyadelphia
- polyadelphi
- Polyadelphya
- oolyadelphian
- lolyadelphian
- -olyadelphian
- 0olyadelphian
- pilyadelphian
- pklyadelphian
- pllyadelphian
- pplyadelphian
- p0lyadelphian
- p9lyadelphian
- pokyadelphian
- popyadelphian
- pooyadelphian
- poltadelphian
- polgadelphian
- polhadelphian
- poluadelphian
Etymology of POLYADELPHIAN
The word "Polyadelphian" is derived from the Greek terms "poly-" meaning "many" and "adelphos" meaning "brother". In botany, this term is used to describe plants whose stamens are fused into several groups or bundles. The term was first coined in the early 19th century by botanists who observed and categorized such plants. It combines the concepts of multiple (poly) stamen groups or bundles (adelphos).
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