apocarpous

[ap-uh-kahr-puhs]

adjective

Botany.

1. having the carpels separate.

apocarpous

/ ˌæpəˈkɑːpəs /

adjective

1. (of the ovaries of flowering plants such as the buttercup) consisting of separate carpels Compare syncarpous

Other Word Forms

• apocarpy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocarpous¹

First recorded in 1820–30; apo- + -carpous

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocarpous¹

C19 from NL, from Gk _apo- + karpos fruit

Example Sentences

In this case a syncarpous fruit has a tendency to become apocarpous.

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The pistil is apocarpous, consisting of several distinct carpels, each with ovary, style and stigma.

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It is useful to be able to classify a flower and to know that the buttercup belongs to the Family Ranunculaceae, with petals free and definite, stamens hypogynous and indefinite, pistil apocarpous.

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In the former case they are either apocarpous, of one mature carpel or of several separate free carpels; or syncarpous, of several carpels, more or less completely united.

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When the pistil consists of several separate carpels, or is apocarpous, there are generally separate placentas at each of their margins.

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