Term:
Operculum
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).
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).