perianth

American  

[per-ee-anth] / ˈpɛr iˌænθ /

noun

Botany.

1. the envelope of a flower, whether calyx or corolla or both.

---

perianth British  

/ ˈpɛrɪˌænθ /

noun

1. the outer part of a flower, consisting of the calyx and corolla

---

perianth Scientific  

/ pĕr′ē-ănth′ /

1. The sepals and petals of a flower considered together.

---

Other Word Forms

• perianthial adjective

Etymology

Origin of perianth

1700–10; earlier perianthium < New Latin. See peri-, anth-, -ium

Example Sentences

Elegant bicolor blooms appear in early spring with reflexed ivory perianths and a golden corona, or trumpet, that shifts to a soft apricot as the bloom ages.

From Seattle Times

The cup of the daffodil extends from radiating petals called a perianth.

From Seattle Times

While I’ve grown Algerian iris for years, just last winter I began harvesting the long-necked blossoms — technically, those “necks” are pronounced perianth tubes that are up to 8 inches long — as a cut flower.

From Seattle Times

For example, a reduction in whorls would have allowed the perianth—the sepals and the petals—to play more of a protective role and help attract pollinators.

From Scientific American

The cup is shorter than the perianth segments, but always more than one-third their length; one flower per stem.

From Southern Living