Operculum

  • Title

    Operculum

  • Definition

    The lid of the fruit of species with circumscissilely dehiscent fruits as found in many species of Lecythidaceae; a valvelike opening into the stony endocarp of the fruit of some species (e.g., Humiriaceae); referring to a seed with an opening covered by a lid (e.g., Zingiberaceae) or the membranous cover of the nectary in Passiflora (Passifloraceae).

  • Related Terms

    Dehisce (dehiscent)

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