apocarpous

[ ap-uh-kahr-puhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. having the carpels separate.

apocarpous

/ ˌæpəˈkɑːpəs /

adjective

1. (of the ovaries of flowering plants such as the buttercup) consisting of separate carpels Compare syncarpous

Other Words From

• apo·carpy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocarpous¹

First recorded in 1820–30; apo- + -carpous

Word History and Origins

Origin of apocarpous¹

C19 from NL, from Gk apo- + karpos fruit

Example Sentences

In the former case they are either apocarpous, of one mature carpel or of several separate free carpels; or syncarpous, of several carpels, more or less completely united.

From Project Gutenberg

The pistil is apocarpous, consisting of several distinct carpels, each with ovary, style and stigma.

From Project Gutenberg

It is useful to be able to classify a flower and to know that the buttercup belongs to the Family Ranunculaceae, with petals free and definite, stamens hypogynous and indefinite, pistil apocarpous.

From Project Gutenberg

In this case a syncarpous fruit has a tendency to become apocarpous.

From Project Gutenberg

When the pistil consists of several separate carpels, or is apocarpous, there are generally separate placentas at each of their margins.

From Project Gutenberg