cleistogamous

American  

[klahy-stog-uh-muhs] / klaɪˈstɒg ə məs /

Also cleistogamic

adjective

Botany.

1. pertaining to or having pollination occurring in unopened flowers.

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cleistogamous Scientific  

/ klī-stŏg′ə-məs /

1. Of or relating to a flower that does not open and is self-pollinated in the bud. The fertile flowers of the violet are inconspicuous and cleistogamous, while the plant's more familiar showy flowers are usually infertile.

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Other Word Forms

• cleistogamy
  noun
• noncleistogamic
  adjective
• noncleistogamous
  adjective
• cleistogamically
  adverb
• cleistogamously
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of cleistogamous

First recorded in 1880–85; cleisto- + -gamous

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cleistogamous

These cleistogamous flowers afford a striking example of habitual self-pollination, and H. von Mohl drew special attention to them as such shortly after the appearance of Darwin's Orchid book.

From Darwin and Modern Science by A. C. (Albert Charles) Seward

Every plant which produces these cleistogamous or bud-fertilized flowers bears also more conspicuous and open flowers, usually of bright colors.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Asa Gray

The beech-drop bears cleistogamous or blind flowers in addition to the few showy ones needed to attract insects.

From Wild Flowers Worth Knowing by Neltje Blanchan

Only 1–2´ high, bearing 1 or 2 evidently cleistogamous purplish flowers, not larger than a pin's head; capsule becoming 1´´ long.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Asa Gray

The flowers of these plants, in which, however,—in contrast to the cleistogamous flowers—the corolla is well developed, remain closed and fruit is produced.

From Darwin and Modern Science by A. C. (Albert Charles) Seward

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