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

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

Etymology

Origin of cleistogamous

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

Example Sentences

Capsule prismatic or elongated-oblong, 3-celled, opening by 3 small lateral valves.—Low annuals, with axillary blue or purplish flowers, in American species dimorphous, the earlier being cleistogamous.

From Project Gutenberg

Amphicarpum, native in the south-eastern United States, has fertile cleistogamous spikelets on filiform runners at the base of the culm, those on the terminal panicle are sterile.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

In other cases precautions are taken to prevent cross-fertilisation, as in the numerous cleistogamous or closed flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg