petaloid

American  

[pet-l-oid] / ˈpɛt lˌɔɪd /

adjective

1. having the form or appearance of a petal.

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petaloid British  

/ ˈpɛtəˌlɔɪd /

adjective

1. biology resembling a petal, esp in shape

   the petaloid pattern on a sea urchin

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Other Word Forms

• interpetaloid adjective

Etymology

Origin of petaloid

First recorded in 1720–30; petal + -oid

Example Sentences

Sepals.—Five; petaloid; very irregular; the upper one helmet-shaped.

From The Wild Flowers of California: Their Names, Haunts, and Habits by Parsons, Mary Elizabeth

When the parts of the calyx are in appearance like petals they are said to be petaloid, as in Liliaceae.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

Calyx 5-parted, petaloid, loosely persistent about the achene, the 3 inner divisions often enlarging in fruit, in which case the outer are usually spreading.

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 Gray, Asa

Considered teratologically, petaloid coloration of the sepals is either general or partial; in the latter case the nerves retain their green colour longest.

From Vegetable Teratology An Account of the Principal Deviations from the Usual Construction of Plants by Masters, Maxwell T.

Perianth of 3 ovate or heart-shaped petaloid scales, mostly on claws, and usually with as many alternating small bristles.

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 Gray, Asa