GYMNOCARPOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Gymnocarpous is an adjective used in botany to describe plants that bear naked fruits or lack a protective covering around their seeds. The term is derived from the combination of two Greek words, "gymnos," meaning "naked," and "karpos," meaning "fruit."
In this context, gymnocarpous plants are characterized by their exposed, unprotected fruits, which lack any form of outer covering, such as a husk, pericarp, or shell. These fruits can range in size, shape, and color, but their distinctive feature lies in their nakedness. Examples of gymnocarpous plants include some species of gymnosperms, such as pine trees and cycads, as well as certain angiosperms like the Sarcococca genus.
The absence of a protective layer around their seeds in gymnocarpous plants may have evolutionary advantages. It can facilitate easier dispersal of their seeds through wind, water, or animals, as there are no barriers hindering their movement. However, the lack of protection can also make these plants more vulnerable to external factors such as desiccation, predation, or damage.
Gymnocarpous plants occupy a diverse range of ecosystems and play vital roles in various ecological processes. Their unique adaptation of bearing naked fruits contributes to the rich biodiversity of both terrestrial and aquatic environments, making them an intriguing subject of study for botanists and plant enthusiasts.
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Noting certain fungi in which the hymenium is exposed while the spores are forming.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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In bot., applied to naked fruit-that is, fruit having no pubescence nor floral envelope about the fruit.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for GYMNOCARPOUS
- fymnocarpous
- vymnocarpous
- bymnocarpous
- hymnocarpous
- yymnocarpous
- tymnocarpous
- gtmnocarpous
- ggmnocarpous
- ghmnocarpous
- gumnocarpous
- g7mnocarpous
- g6mnocarpous
- gynnocarpous
- gyknocarpous
- gyjnocarpous
- gymbocarpous
- gymmocarpous
- gymjocarpous
- gymhocarpous
Etymology of GYMNOCARPOUS
The word "gymnocarpous" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "gymno" and "karpos". "Gymno" means "naked" or "bare", while "karpos" means "fruit" or "crop". Therefore, the literal translation of "gymnocarpous" from Greek to English would be "naked fruit" or "bare fruit". In the specific field of botany, "gymnocarpous" is used to describe certain plants that have naked or exposed fruit, often referring to plants with fruit that lacks a protective covering or husk.
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