perigonium

[ per-i-goh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural per·i·go·ni·a [per-i-, goh, -nee-, uh].

1. the envelope of modified leaves surrounding the antheridia in mosses.

Other Words From

• peri·goni·al peri·gonal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perigonium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1810–20; peri-, -gonium

Example Sentences

At the top of the axis in the male plant rise the antheridia, surrounded by an envelope of modified leaves called the perigonium.

From Project Gutenberg